GALLE FORT      

     

         Galle fort, in the bay of Galle on the south east coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, and then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17^th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintain a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by archaeological department of Sri Lanka.

 The fort has a colourful history. The Sri Lankan government ant many Dutch people who till own some of the properties inside the fort. The heritage value of the fort has been recognized by the UNESCO and the site has been inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World heritage site under criteria 4. Fort is unique exposition of an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16^th to the 19^th centuries.  

The Galle fort also known as the Dutch Fort or the “ramparts of   Galle” withstood the Boxing Day tsunami which damaged part of  coastal area Galle town. It has been since restored.

The British took over the fort on 23^rd February 1796. On week after Colombo was capture.  Sri Lanka remained a British colony formally from 1815 till it became an independent Island nation in 1948. In 1865, part of the fort was converted into the new Oriental Hotel becoming the Amangalla in 2005. the importance of Galle also declined after the British developed Colombo as their capital and main port in the mid nineteen century.

 Today inside the Fort you will find that it exudes old world charm.  Within the ramparts and stonewalls of the old Galle Fort which spreads over a 36 hectare peninsula magnificent buildings remain. The narrow streets are dotted with Dutch colonial villas and there’s a welcome absence of vehicular traffic. there are several museum and antique shops that display curiosities from the island’s colonial area. of the many colonial buildings perhaps the most absorbing is the Dutch reformed Church, containing ornately carved memorials ot the city’s Dutch settlers.