Fort Cornwallis-Your Tickets To The Past In Penang

Fort Cornwallis in Penang is a must-visit as it is the largest fort in Malaysia. You need to pay tickets to enter but you will be rewarded with amazing historical trail and sight. Do you know that this is the place where Sir Francis Light first set foot? There is even a cannon that can bless barren couples with children. Read to find out more.

After enjoying our lunch at Kedai Kopi Ho Ping in Georgetown, we decided to do what all tourists in Penang would do-visiting historical landmarks. We headed to the famous Fort Cornwallis which is your ticket to travel back in time. Sort of! Initially I thought it would be free to enter this historical remnants, however I was wrong. We needed to pay for RM10 and RM5 for adults and children respectively before we could set foot in this largest standing fort in Malaysia. So what was it worth it? There is also a cannon that could help you to get babies in Fort Cornwallis. Let's find out. 

 Daddy and mommy with their PDA (Public Display of Affection) 😋 in front of Fort Cornwallis

 The majestic Penang Clock Tower is just next to Fort Cornwallis

For the uninitiated, Fort Cornwallis is located near the Penang Clock Tower. If you were to use a drone to capture pictures of this fort, you will be surprised to find out that it is actually a star-shaped stronghold. This design could better fend off any attacks from different directions. This bastion is the oldest structures in Penang and it was named after Marquis Charles Cornwallis. Erected in 1786, this fort was built to defend against pirates, the armies from Kedah and even the French during the Napoleon era.

 Fort Cornwallis Ticket Prices

Like I have aforementioned, entrance ticket is needed before you can enter this "guarded" fort. During our visit, the whole place was relatively quite empty and no other visitors could be seen. It was a huge compound divided to several sections. According to the map that we saw, there were altogether 15 different sites for you to explore in Fort Cornwallis. If you visit there during afternoon time, make sure you bring an umbrella as there was not much shade.

15 Different Sites in Fort Cornwallis

1. Bridge Entrance
2. The Pinang Tree
3. Sir Francis Light Memorial
4. Chapel
5. Prison
6. Bunker Gallery
7. Clock Tower Viewing Deck
8. Arch Entrance
9. The Light House
10. Streets of Cannons
11. The Tunnel
12. Gun Powder Magazine Room
13. Seri Rambai Cannon
14. Amphitheatre
15. Stage

Spanning 4490 square feet, Fort Cornwallis was actually built on the site where the famous Captain Francis Light first touched down in 1786 in the then uninhibited Penang. It was said that he took the island from the Sultan of Kedah. Captain Francis Light then established a free port to attract traders from all over the world. Although the fort was meant for defensive purposes, it was largely used as an administrative base.

You will see a lot of cannons in Fort Cornwallis

This cat was really tame and we had a brief playtime with it.

Honestly, we were quite happy to roam around in this fort as there was no one else besides workers who were maintaining the place. It was quite an educational excursion for both Jordan and Jasmine as they could see first hand, weapons that were used a few hundred years ago. There were surely a lot of cannons on display and they were intrigued by its size and ancient-looking appearance. We had quite a good read about Sir Francis Light at his memorial site complete with his bronze statue.

Mommy and her two beloved babies 

 History of Fort Cornwallis

 Sir Francis Light Memorial

 Do I look like Sir Francis Light?

This is what a Pinang Tree (Pokok Pinang) looks like

You will have that eerie sensation when you pay the chapel and prison a visit. Perhaps the spirits of the dead were still lingering there? Another place in Fort Cornwallis which gave us the creep was the Gun Powder Magazine Room. I actually went inside to have a good look but prevented my wife and children from entering because it did feel a bit weird to be in that small space. It was quite mesmerizing sight to look at those cannons facing the vast ocean when you stop at "Streets of Cannon".

 Gun Powder Magazine Room

I dare you to enter this creepy place...

It was a shame that I did not pay enough attention to a special canon called the Seri Rambai Cannon which was said to be a fertility symbol. Cast in 1603, the cannon depicts a decorative band featuring 3 pairs of heraldic lions with long, spiraling tails. Each pair of the heraldic lions faces a vase containing flowers. It is this vase with flowers that is said to be a symbol of fertility. Unlike other cannons, this largest bronze gun in Malaysia has a name and legend has it that it can bless married couples with children. Hence those who want to conceive babies can actually pay Fort Cornwallis a visit and make your way to this Seri Rambai Cannon and place your offerings of flowers and joss sticks at its base. Perhaps you can also make pomegranate as your offering as the fruit itself is also a symbol of fertility.

Enjoy amazing historical trail in Fort Cornwallis

The Lighthouse in Fort Cornwallis seemed to be out of bounds

It was a shame that we did not visit the lighthouse. Beats me...but I guess the scorching sun was to be blamed or that section appeared to be off-limit at that time. If you are hungry, dine in the Kota Dine & Coffee restaurant which is inside Fort Cornwallis itself. Unfortunately we had our lunch earlier and was too full to sample the food in this quaint restaurant. All in all, we spent around 15 to 20 minutes in Fort Cornwallis and I guess it was worth our time and tickets. We then headed to Tanjung Point Residences to check in and had our awesome rest.

We were standing outside of Fort Cornwallis with the Streets of Cannons right behind us

Fort Cornwallis in Penang

Address:  Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Opening Hours: 9:00a.m. - 10p.m. daily

Ticket Price: Adult (RM10), Child (RM5)