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Diu Fortress

🇮🇳 India · 16th century

Diu Fortress in India
Photo: Sumit sharma · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The Diu Fortress (Portuguese: Fortaleza de Diu or formally Fortaleza de São Tomé) is a Portuguese-built fortification located on the west coast of India in Diu. The fortress was built as part of Portuguese India's defensive fortifications at the eastern tip of the island of Diu during the 16th century. The fortress, which borders on the town of Diu, was built in 1535 subsequent to a defense alliance forged by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese when Humayun, the Mughal Emperor attempted to annex this territory. It was strengthened over the years, till 1546. The Portuguese ruled over this territory from 1537 until the Indian invasion of December 1961. Today it is a landmark of Diu and one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World.

Text adapted from “Diu Fortress” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Diu Fortress ranks #2,856 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #107 of the 172 mapped in India. Founded 1535, it is older than 42% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 718 atlas entries founded in the 16th century. Its Wikipedia articles were opened 2,071 times in the last 60 days, more than 67% of the atlas. 1 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. See how India compares in the castle statistics.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Diu Fortress?

Diu Fortress stands in India, at 20.71479°, 70.99603°.

When was Diu Fortress built?

The atlas dates its founding to 1535. Earlier structures may have stood on the site; this is the earliest documented founding year.

How famous is Diu Fortress?

In this atlas's fame ranking: #2,856 of 7,738 worldwide, and #107 in India. Fame here combines how many Wikipedia language editions cover a landmark with how many people read them.

What is the nearest castle to Diu Fortress?

Fort St. Anthony of Simbor, about 17 km away.

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