Fort St. George
Fort St. George
3.5
About
A testament to the earliest English rule in the country, this was the first fortress in India built in 1644. The fort houses St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in the country, a museum and Wellesley House, named after Richard Wellesley, governor general of India. Until recently the fort complex served as housing for the government; now certain areas are open to public.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
226 reviews
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85
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Hooray H
London, UK2,168 contributions
Dec 2019
At least they are maintaining a bit of very important History.
Located in a secure Government area so your driver has to wait outside, if you have one.
One of the first British Forts in India & played a very important role in the Colonial rule.
The museum is closed one day a week, so do check.
Behind it is a local cafe & a nice little shop selling all kinds of cotton products at ridiculously low prices.
Located in a secure Government area so your driver has to wait outside, if you have one.
One of the first British Forts in India & played a very important role in the Colonial rule.
The museum is closed one day a week, so do check.
Behind it is a local cafe & a nice little shop selling all kinds of cotton products at ridiculously low prices.
Written April 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laya Balakrishnan
Chennai (Madras), India84 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
The Fort St. George Museum, nestled in Chennai, is a historical marvel waiting to be explored. Founded in 1644, it stands as a living testament to the British East India Company's colonial influence in India. The fort's architecture, a blend of British and Indian styles, is a sight to behold, with its sturdy bastions and imposing ramparts. The museum houses a trove of colonial artifacts, from vintage weaponry to rare coins, offering a mesmerizing journey into the past. A hidden gem for history enthusiasts, it's worth a visit, especially if you seek a less crowded, immersive historical experience.
Conveniently, the Fort St. George Museum offers ample parking in an open ground just across the road. Entry is hassle-free through a QR code scan at the main entrance, with a nominal INR 20 fee for adults. Enjoy a seamless visit!
Conveniently, the Fort St. George Museum offers ample parking in an open ground just across the road. Entry is hassle-free through a QR code scan at the main entrance, with a nominal INR 20 fee for adults. Enjoy a seamless visit!
Written October 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Baggywrinkle75
Norfolk, UK141 contributions
Feb 2023
For those history buffs this is a must see. Muck of Britain's involvement in India can be seen in this place, lots of background the the East India Company which had the words biggest private army and trade block in its time.
St Mary's is chock full of memorials to those who lived, served and died here. Some very tragic one with regards the wives of those who were here.
Beware: Entrance is now by an online ticket. My driver used his phone to buy and I reimbursed him. I'm guessing this is due to security in the area as a large part of the fort is still in use by the military as well as locl Govt.
St Mary's is chock full of memorials to those who lived, served and died here. Some very tragic one with regards the wives of those who were here.
Beware: Entrance is now by an online ticket. My driver used his phone to buy and I reimbursed him. I'm guessing this is due to security in the area as a large part of the fort is still in use by the military as well as locl Govt.
Written February 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ejaztrip1
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India7 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
Its an important historical monument in chennai. many of them usually skip the place but it has a great collection of modern indian historical evidences. its located adjecent to the secretariat of tamilnadu. the meuseum contains the photos, military equipments, currencies,coins, textiles,etc used by the british while ruling india.
Written December 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indradeep R
Mumbai, India898 contributions
Sep 2012 • Family
I wanted to visit this place at Chennai for a long time, but was not sure whether entry is permitted, because this place is also known as Secreteriat where the State Government functions. Trust you would understand my concern if you are an indian, where the MLA's and MP's are the VIP's who being a public servant gets the utmost importance and the poor public need to find his own way in/out
Sorry to digress, but when a friend of mine informed that its worth a place to visit I made my mind and drove down. The Parking is on the other side of the road thus one needs to take a U turn, park on the other side and cross over the road. There is no Parking fees, however I would not know if there are someone who would collect on a weekday. Fortunately I visited on a Sunday and thus with very few visitors nobody was available in the mid day Chennai sun.
First I visted the musuem, there are pretty good checking which you have to endure. People do body search. The entrance ticket is only Rs 5/- per person and Rs 50/- for a foreigner. Photography is allwed and there are no additional charges for it, which is a great relief, and I thoroughly appreciate it. However, flash photography is not allowed and thus if you are an amatuer please read a bit about how to take pictures in dark without a Flash.
The first flow consist of the Dress of British soldiers, their medals, coins etc. The 1st floor has Oil Paintains and description and pics of other musuems across the Globe. It also has various arms used during wars. I was pretty impressed.
Post that you have to walk behind the building in the sun to reach the St Mary's Church. It definitely looked to me a amazing church from the outside, however it was closed for me to venture in. The timimngs mentioned outside are not clear either and I believei will visit once again on a week day, preferably around 10 Am to find more details.
I do not agree with the other notes that the place is not well maintained and its wanting to make quick buck. I have travelled extensively in the country and i can assure you will not have touts which is run by Archaelogical Survey of india and that too in a high security zone. Thumbs up to ASI for making it a memorable expensive :)
Sorry to digress, but when a friend of mine informed that its worth a place to visit I made my mind and drove down. The Parking is on the other side of the road thus one needs to take a U turn, park on the other side and cross over the road. There is no Parking fees, however I would not know if there are someone who would collect on a weekday. Fortunately I visited on a Sunday and thus with very few visitors nobody was available in the mid day Chennai sun.
First I visted the musuem, there are pretty good checking which you have to endure. People do body search. The entrance ticket is only Rs 5/- per person and Rs 50/- for a foreigner. Photography is allwed and there are no additional charges for it, which is a great relief, and I thoroughly appreciate it. However, flash photography is not allowed and thus if you are an amatuer please read a bit about how to take pictures in dark without a Flash.
The first flow consist of the Dress of British soldiers, their medals, coins etc. The 1st floor has Oil Paintains and description and pics of other musuems across the Globe. It also has various arms used during wars. I was pretty impressed.
Post that you have to walk behind the building in the sun to reach the St Mary's Church. It definitely looked to me a amazing church from the outside, however it was closed for me to venture in. The timimngs mentioned outside are not clear either and I believei will visit once again on a week day, preferably around 10 Am to find more details.
I do not agree with the other notes that the place is not well maintained and its wanting to make quick buck. I have travelled extensively in the country and i can assure you will not have touts which is run by Archaelogical Survey of india and that too in a high security zone. Thumbs up to ASI for making it a memorable expensive :)
Written September 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mamacita1001
Singapore, Singapore5,136 contributions
Opening hour 10:00-17:00. Friday is closed. Fee is,,,,,
5 rupee for Indians
100 rupee for non-Indians !!! 20 times ! Can you believe it ?
Of course, you can bring your camera with you once you pay for it, still this museum is not worth 100 rupee, personally. It is 3 storey house and there are some sections like coins, etching, drawings, stamps,swords and clothes. Some parts were under renovation when I was there.
I didn't enjoy here very much.
5 rupee for Indians
100 rupee for non-Indians !!! 20 times ! Can you believe it ?
Of course, you can bring your camera with you once you pay for it, still this museum is not worth 100 rupee, personally. It is 3 storey house and there are some sections like coins, etching, drawings, stamps,swords and clothes. Some parts were under renovation when I was there.
I didn't enjoy here very much.
Written April 15, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rea2der
Coimbatore, India1,914 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
I have recently visited this place.The infrastructure is good.The building turned out to be Legislature of Tamil Nadu now.We have a small museum inside.The entry fee is also less.We have separate entry for officials and for normal people.Best time to visit is around 4 PM.
Written March 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmitPalrecha
Pune, India79 contributions
Mar 2015 • Business
Currently this is the administrative place of Tamil Nadu, so very busy and chaotic. However the staff inside is helpful wan would guide you to the tourist places inside the complex. There is a museum and a church. Apart from that the complete complex looks like it has been refurbished so not a lot of the original historical place is left.
The museum is a good place to know about the starting days of the British in India. It is 3 storied with each section dedicated to specific thing. It provides a detailed history of the time when British landed in India.On display are Victoria Cross and other gallantry awards of that time. It also displays the weapons used, the costumes of the officers. It also displays the coins used by different rules of South India. An interesting section is about how the Tricolour flag of India evolved and I think this is the best kept secret of this place.
Then there is a small Church built during the 18th century.
The museum is a good place to know about the starting days of the British in India. It is 3 storied with each section dedicated to specific thing. It provides a detailed history of the time when British landed in India.On display are Victoria Cross and other gallantry awards of that time. It also displays the weapons used, the costumes of the officers. It also displays the coins used by different rules of South India. An interesting section is about how the Tricolour flag of India evolved and I think this is the best kept secret of this place.
Then there is a small Church built during the 18th century.
Written April 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James G
Marlow, UK89 contributions
This place was runs down and lacking. I don't think they realise what they have here and how the could have improved the visit. I'm sure it's because of the colonial stigma but they could easily have built this place up about the local history.
Written November 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter S
Canberra, Australia346 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Fort St George represents the genesis of British rule in south India. It was created in the mid-17th century and continually changed and strengthened through many iterations and changes. It's still a working military and governmental installation, but visitors can freely walk around the fort seeing a wonderful range of historical buildings until stopped by various 'no entrance' signs. Several buildings (Clive's House, St Mary's church and the appalling Fort Museum) deserve reviews of their own. But in general, if you are at all interested in the physical manifestations of imperial military rule, take a wander around the fort. You can see the huge barrack blocks in which troops lived, see the massive ramparts and gates, and see how in many ways India has simply adopted the fabric of the fort to meet its own (actually very similar) needs. The up-keep and interpretation of this historical heritage is almost entirely absent (in Britain or Australia etc. everything old would be cared for and explained - in India, it's simply used but not explained). But at least you can see and photograph it, which I did. But the fort's buildings are very poorly maintained, and even a few yards from the 'lines' of the various military units (which are kept spotless) there is litter and rubbish everywhere - the moat is full of crap. This is disgraceful for any historical site dating from the 17th century (and the church is certainly that old in origins). As ever, India delights and disappoints in turn.
Written January 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
missjaani
Chennai (Madras), India
Is the fort museum remain open on 7 days of the week?
Written December 8, 2017
It is closed on Fridays, all other days it is opened from 9.00am to 5.00pm and the entrance fee is Rs.15. Free for Children upto 15 years old
Written December 20, 2017
Do they allow photographs near the statue of Cornwallis?
Written September 23, 2016
Strictly speaking, no. It's inside the museum and photography is not allowed inside. The statue is directly in front of the entrance. You could ask the reception if you can take a photograph standing outside the museum. As it is a high security area do not do anything without permission. They may allow academics permission. The statue is controversial as the bas relief work on base shows Tipu Sultans sons being given as hostages. If my memory serves me right it has been placed such that it would be very difficult to get a good picture of the whole statue. Pictures of it may be available at the reception for purchase.
Written September 23, 2016
Trevor W
Goolwa, Australia
DOES THE Army still run a guest house for visiting army personal and their famlies?
Where can I get the address of the Ordnance Depot in Chennai?
Written July 16, 2016
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