Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

Galle is a city on the south coast of Sri Lanka, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese Colonists on the 10th century known for Galle fort. Stone sea walls expanded by the Dutch encircle car free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese ,Dutch and the British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th century Dutch Reformed Church.

Galle the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a World Heritage Site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. The Galle fort is a historical ,archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after move 400 years maintain a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work. It has a colorful history and has multi ethnic and multi religious population. The port like most of the forts in Sri Lanka, is built on a small rocky peninsula belonging to the sea as much as to the land covering an area of 52 hectares. The fort was originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century to defend Galle, was an earthen structure with palisades covering the northern inland side with a rampart and three bastions. The fort has two gates , the towering gates to the Fort are termed “Portcullised gates” . Prominent landmark in Galle include the city’s natural harbor , The National Maritime Museum, St Mary’s Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, Amangalle – the historic luxury hotel . Important natural geographical features in Galle include Rumassala in Unawatuna, a large mound like hill that forms the eastern protective harbor. Unawatuna is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and known for its beach and corals. Unawatuna is rich in its biodiversity, its greatest potential attraction for eco tourism. Ramparts are a pretty impressive architectural construction of the Dutch. In a building inside the rampart was once the Dutch ware house .Since Sri Lanka was a British Colony for a while, some British customs are still in play among the people here.