Things to do in George Town & Fort

George Town is where Madras began. Fort St. George, begun by the East India Company in 1639–40, still houses the state legislature and the Fort Museum, and the streets north of it hold the Madras High Court, the Armenian Church and wholesale markets for everything from paper to spices. Heritage walks are the main reason visitors come, especially during Madras Week in August. Sowcarpet, the old North Indian trading quarter around Mint Street, is the city's centre for Holi colours, Diwali sweets and chaat. Raja Annamalai Mandram on the Esplanade hosts Tamil Isai Sangam's music festival each December. High Court and Mannadi metro stations serve the area.