Raised by the British East India Company in the mid-17th century, Fort St. George became the nucleus from which Madras (now Chennai) grew. The complex today houses the Tamil Nadu Secretariat and Legislative Assembly alongside a museum and churches, blending living governance with layered colonial-era history.

On Rajaji Salai near the Marina seafront and Chennai Port, the fort offers ramparts, the Fort Museum (maps, medals, arms, portraits), and tranquil St. Mary’s Church-all within a secure, working precinct. Expect ID checks, limited photography in some zones, and easy access by city buses/metro-making it a compact, high-value stop for history lovers and first-time visitors.