Fort Hammenheil

Fort Humanhill Resort exceeded our expectations with its breathtaking views and romantic ambiance. The beautiful beach setting created the perfect backdrop for a memorable getaway. The staff were attentive and ensured our stay was comfortable. The overall experience was nothing short of magical. Highly recommend for couples seeking a romantic escape. We look forward to returning to this hidden gem by the sea.

This is an amazing resort maintained by Sri Lankan Navy. The place is clean and tidy. The resort is on a small island which is approximately 1 km away from the mainland and they will take you through a boat to the island.

The island is a former dutch fort where the ground floor is a prison. There are rooms which have been renovated with modern equipment while keeping the historic touch to accommodate tourists. You can get an experience as a prisoner if you pay some extra money. They will allow you to wear prisoner’s pajamas and have a meal inside the prison.

And of course you can visit the island even if you are not going to stay in the resort. That will coat you Rs. 3,300/= per boat where a boat can accommodate 14 people.

Their main restaurant is located in the mainland. The food is tasty, the environment is clean. Food is bit expensive. The staff is very friendly and supportive.

Must visit place! Maintained by the Srilankan Navy. This used to be a prison. Still you can see and visit the prison cells. They also offer a Dutch prison experience (Not for me 🫣). The prison, where accommodation is provided, is in an island. Transport provided through a ferry. Tried the food at the restaurant. I would easily give 5/5. Very reasonable prices and the food was really good! The staff were very helpful and friendly. Plenty of parking available.

This old Dutch fort is located few hundred meters away from Milan island. But you have to take a boat ride to access this place. It will cost 3300 rupees and 12 people can accommodate. Fort is build covering the whole island. It was a prosion house in the past. Still you can see the prison cells. Some rooms are renovated and converted to comfortab rooms so that you can stay over night at this place. This place has a great view of sea.

Fort Hammeinhill located at the coast line of Karainagar ,is a unique &antique Fort +Beach restaurant which has the serene beauty of sea and land ,with exceptionally good& unique service provided by the Srilankan Navy , with boat trips arranged to visit the sea fort to visit the antiquity and marvel of Old fort prison ..
Prices are fair for the quality of food they provide, nature at its soothing best.
They charge around three thousand for a boat trip to the fort at the sea ,and upto 14 can be accommodated at a time at that cost..
So recommend to form a team before opting out for a boat ride..

Highly recommend this place in Jaffna for a great outing experience specially in late evenings ..

A wonderful place with a breathtaking atmosphere . The " Hammenheil Fort " is located just at the reach of a short distances from the main land where the restaurant is located. Very neatly arranged place.
The Fort is a "not-to-miss" attraction to all travelling in Jaffna and specially, if you are an explorer of beautiful attractive places, this place is a wonderful item to your "Bag of Memories".
Have a look at the photoes shaeed in google ....

Jaffna peninsula is home to Fort Hammenheil, recently discovered as one of the most sought-after touristic pleasures found in the region. Up until recently Fort Hammenheil was a hidden gem as mentioned in hospitality parlance and the cessation of the war presented this unique offering to the public.

During the days of yore Forts signified power, wealth, and military capability. Today, it is fun to imagine what it was like to live during a time when people fought with swords, cannons, muskets, and bows. In the Middle Ages, leaders constructed massive fortifications to protect their people. Military tacticians during the era of warfare designed fortresses to withstand any attack. However, Fort Hammenheil could not live up to as a bastion of repute, as it was captured rather unceremoniously by the successive forces which ruled Sri Lanka. The Fort was originally built by the Portuguese to guard the passage by water to the Castle Fort at Jaffna and was aptly named as “Fortaleza de Caes”. The Dutch named it “Hammenheil” and name lives on since.

Today, the Fort has shed its rather chequered past and as the Hammenheil Resort and Restaurant continues to win rave reviews from visitors who are enthralled by the sheer experience of living within a luxuriously appointed dungeon surrounded by the ocean.

Nagadeepa Temple - Nayanativu Island

(40 min by road, 20 min by sea)

Nagadeepa Vihara, an ancient Buddhist temple is located in Nagadeepa; one of the islands in a cluster that huddles close to the western coast of the peninsula with Palk Strait shaping around it. The stupa of modest dimensions commemorates the Buddha’s third visit to Sri Lanka. Image house next to the stupa features a fine golden Buddhist statue.

Nallur Kandhaswamy Kovil - Jaffna town
Nallur Kandhaswamy Kovil, main landmark of Jaffna located 3km northeast of the town center, dedicated to the Hindu God Murugan was built in 1807 during the British occupation. The original shrine, a devalaya featuring the statues of Hindu Gods and Buddha, built by the Prince Sapumal of Kotte Kingdom, the vice royal of Jaffna Peninsula was destroyed by the Portuguese, on the 2nd of Feb 1625. To date at the Nallur Kandhaswami Kovil, prayers are recited in the name of Prince Sapumal of Kotte. According to the head of the Franciscan order in Ceylon, father Negaro, who had studied all available records, while in the Kingdom, Prince Sapumal after ascending the throne of Kotte as King Buvanekabahu VI had decided to populate the Northern area's as majority of these areas were deserted.

Today the Kovil has developed into an enormous complex encompassing numerous shrines accessed by richly decorated corridors. Within the complex are a beautiful courtyard and a large tank. Since the temple was built in the year 1734 to 1749, it contained a shrine dedicated to an Islamic Sufisaint.However in the year 1749, dargah, the vault of the Islamic saint was removed by the Hindus.

Dambakola Patuna - Madagal
Dambakola Patuna (Jambukola Pattana) is located about 20 km from Jaffna town and 10 km from Kankasanthurai of the Jaffna Peninsuala, the northernmost peninsula of Sri Lanka. The distance form Colombo is 427km by A3 and A9 main motor roads.

Dambakola Patuna is the sea port where the Buddhist nun Sangamitta Therani arrived in Sri Lanka bringing the southern sapling of the Bo or Peepal tree, the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Bodhgaya in India, in whose shelter the Prince Siddhartha attained supreme enlightenment, thereby becoming the Gauthama Buddha. Today the sacred tree is known to be the oldest recorded tree of the world and known by the name of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi of Anurdahpura.

The small stupa and the temple at Dambakola Patuna (Jambukola Pattana) are modern constrictions. The modern statue of Sanghamitta Therini was established there at a ceremony in 2010.

Keeramalai Pokuna - Kiramalei
The springs of Keeramalai are said to be of therapeutic value, containing healing waters. The site itself is of historical and religious importance.

Very Nice hotel inside the old dutch fort. Managed by the Sri Lanka Navy. Rooms are very clean and well managed. Friendly and supportive staff. The food is delicious.

A beautiful resort. I didn’t stay here but went to see the Hammenheil fort through the resort. Staff was very friendly and helpful. A must go place in j Jaffna.

The strange serenity of the little water-fort, Hammenhiel, invests this memorial with a sense of departed usefulness which is most striking. It stands on a rocky shoal at the entrance to Jaffna Lagoon and its ramparts are lapped by the surf. The Portuguese named it Fortaleza do Caes. In those days of tumult, Hammenhiel served on the north just as Mannar Fort did on the south, to guard the passage by water to the Castle Fort at Jaffna

Actordingly, it was not permitted to remein long in Portuguese hands and was captured by the Dutch in March 1658, under Captains Cornelies Reb. Piester Waset and N van de Reede, soon after the Occupation of Mannar Its new owners named in Hammenhiel. The Hallander saw in the shape of Ceylon the resemblance of smoked ham. Since this picturesque water fort was at the point where the shank bone projects, they gave this strange name Hammen-hiel (heel of the ham), and fortunately nobody has changed it. The Portuguese held out for a short while, but in this case too had so surrender for want of water,

When the Dutch occupied this waler- fort they found that the sand bank on which it was built had been undermined by the storms of the North-East monsoon. They remedied this by piling up a beakwater of stones. The Portuguese had built the ramparts hollow, and bad roofed them with beams, which supported an upper floor of stone and chunam, with a view to the space being utilized for storing provisions and ammunition, Since the beams were liable to decay, and the floor had to support the weight of the cannon without fear of it giving way when the guns were moved about and turned round, the Dutch considered this a mistake and they replaced the roof by an entire stone vault.

Finally, profiting by the error of their predecessors, the Dutch book special pains to ensure a satisfactory water supply, On the northem side of the fortress they built a huge reservoir, paved with "Dutch Bricks" to collect and preserve the rain water. This reservoir had however been built so high that it reached above the parapets and was, therefore, exposed to the fire and possibility to destruction by an enemy. The defect was pointed out time and again at subsequent inspections of the fortress but since it was a recent work. It was allowed to remain until such time as alterations could be effected. It nevertheless stands as originally constructed and is still used to conserve a supply of clear fresh rain-water.

A low vaulted gateway not more than seven feet in height is the only entrance to this water fort. The
living quarters consist of three or four rooms in the courtyard The vaults under the ramparts were
doubtless used as a store room The Dutch invariably maintained a garrison of thirty men under the
charge of a Lieutenant or Ensign on this spot, and the early Dutch Governors make very special mention
in their memoirs, that Hammenhiel must be carefully guarded “none but Dutch being stationed there"

Extracts from book “Links Between Sri Lanka and Netherlands by RL Brokier”

I have stayed 2 days in this picturesque, absolutely stunning place on 11th & 12th of December 2023.It was a unique experience which i have never had before.The scenery,the history associated with the place and the sound of waves lapping on the shore takes you to a different world.The service given by Mr Jayakody who is the caretaker of the Island, Mr Kularathna and the gent who operated the boat is above and beyond the call of duty.All in all it was such a nice experience which will be cherished for the rest of my days.Highly recommended.

Everything is perfect. Clean and independent environment. Tasty food, superb customer service, what a beautiful place. One of the best resort in sri lanka 🇱🇰 😍

Superb restaurant maintained by Sri Lanka Navy in a remote island of northern peninsula of Sri Lanka

Beautiful place facing beach...Delicious food..maintained by SL NAVY...

It's a great scenic place with good customer service and good and tasty food.... The boat trip to the fort cost you Rs. 3500/= and the Navy personals give you a good explanation and tour inside the fort. Truly worth the experience and the long journey there! Do visit it if you come to Jaffna!

Fort Hammenhiel is a unique and picturesque resort located in Karainagara, Jaffna, on a small island not far from the mainland. Getting to the resort requires a boat ride.
One of the most interesting things about Fort Hammenhiel is its history. It was originally a prison, but it has since been renovated by the Sri Lanka Navy and turned into a beautiful resort. Despite its dark past, the resort is now a peaceful and welcoming place that is well-maintained and staffed by friendly and attentive employees.
The resort offers several different types of accommodations, including room only, full board, and half board options. No matter which type of accommodation you choose, you can expect to enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the sea and surrounding landscapes. The views alone are worth the trip to Fort Hammenhiel!
The resort's ambience is tranquil and calming, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. Whether you are looking to escape the stresses of everyday life, enjoy a romantic getaway, or simply explore a new and exciting part of Sri Lanka, Fort Hammenhiel is an excellent choice.

Good service. Very nice place. Delicious foods

Great food and much respect to the staff as they tried and helped us in their maximum capacity to help us find fuel for our vehicle as we were about to run out of fuel and the gas stations nearby being closed. Great staff superb location for lunch and even the fort is very beautiful.
Thank you again very much for the staff for that amazing extra effort in helping us out. We will never forget that.

Old dutch Prison. Quite a cool place to visit. There is a special cell where a Left- wing politician, Lenin-Marxist, JVP former leader Rohana Wijeweera was held after the '70-'71 protest. You have to travel a few metres by boat in order to reach this place. The boats are arranged by the Navy and you have to make a payment. Rooms are perfect with a cool view.

I will give 5 stars for the atmosphere and experience (boating & accommodation in the sea).
Good food but require an advance booking to ensure food is available. Bit expensive if you are local traveller.
Road to access this place is horrible