Galle is a magnificent beach city in the south coast of Sri Lanka. The Galle Fort which is the key attraction of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the biggest tourist attractions of the country.
Location
The Galle Fort is located in the heart of the city alongside the beach. It is about a 15-minute drive away from the city. The easiest way to get around is a tuk-tuk or a bus ride and visitors seeking accommodation in Galle or in nearby towns will find that hotels in Ahungalla such as well-known properties including Heritance Ahungalla may easily visit this historic landmark.
History
The Galle fort was built in the 16th Century by the Portuguese. However, it was extensively modified and used by the Dutch in the 17th Century. Even after the country was invaded by the British in 1796, the fort wasn’t altered during this time as the British based their naval bases mostly in Colombo. Dutch constructions made this one of the most important architectural monuments of the island.
Overview
The area of the fort covers about 52 hectares; the Galle lighthouse, a marine museum and a few old weaponaries are located within the fort.
Other important features
Apart from the main archeological landmarks, the fort is home to Groote Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church), the Meera Mosque and the old Dutch hospital that is currently home to a range of exotic restaurants and bars.
Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.