The buzzing attraction in the South of Sri Lanka is the Galle fort. Revamped and attracting large numbers of tourists and locals, the fort premises are always a great place to hang out when in Galle. Among the many things to do in Galle if you are a culture vulture the perfect place to step into would be the Dutch Reformed Church of Galle. Within the fort as well as out of the fort there are plenty of places to stay. If you prefer to step out of the fort area but still be in the vicinity and be able to visit the places around a highly recommended option is Tamarind Hill.
The church is located at the highest point of the city of Galle was built in 1705. It sits 12 meters above sea level. The church was built with the money received as a donation from a Dutch official, as a gift to mark the birth of his daughter for which he waited for years. The church went through various changes during the British period. A stained glass window was built in the West facade of the church in 1830. A small organ was also added to the church in the later years.
The church went through restoration from the year 2001 and was completed in 2004 with the aid from the Netherlands. This conservation program was later recognized by the UNESCO.
Apart from the church, other places of interest within the fort include the Galle Light House, being the main port of trading for centuries the light has served the sailors tremendously in the past. It was the first lighthouse built in 1848. There is also a national museum within the premises as well as well as a Maritime museum. There is also a mosque within the fort known as the Meera mosque.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.Google+