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Two restored buildings will stand as reminders of a Danish Admiral, Ove
Gedde, sent by the king of Denmark with two ships. They were well received
by the Nayak ruler of Tanjore, and given this territory.
Then Dansborg, the fort of Tarangambadi - Tranquebar for the Danes- was
established to export pepper to Denmark.
Today you can drive in through a beautiful gate of the majestic King Street,
past Lutheran churches and grand bungalows of the Danish Governors' and the
British Collector's residence. Re-live marine history, visit the temples of
Kumbakonam and Tanjore. Stopover for that 'while' which seems eternity.
If the Bungalow on the Beach with its high ceilings, evolves the formality
of colonial rulers, the Gate House and Nayak House are examples of
indigenous Tamil architecture where red tiled roofs surround courtyards of
domestic proportions.
The Gate House, just by the gateway to this haloed world of white homes and
Lutheran churches is a palm-ringed property with a cooling pool at its
heart. The rooms are traditional with a contemporary uncluttered feel.
The Nayak House is a honeymooners idyllic cottage parked at the edge of
civilization with a private sea attached.
Guests can live in any of these but are free to dine at the Bungalow on the
Beach or at the Tamil Nadu Hotel that offer traditional Tamil cuisine.
Tranquebar, 15 km south of the ancient Chola port of Pumpuhar, and 15 km
north of the former French comptoir of Karikal, was a Danish settlement from
1620 to 1845.
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