Sri Lanka claims an interesting past peppered with heavy colonial influence waiting to be explored. The coastal town of Negombo is no exception to this with its claim to the remnants of an ancient Dutch Fort.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
History
The Negombo Dutch Fort dates back to the 17th century when the Dutch and Portuguese fought over the right to control the island’s cinnamon trade. Following the Dutch occupation, the fort was taken over by the British who in the 1800’s decided to demolish it and build a prison, which is still in use today.
How to get there
The site is located on a strip of narrow land between the lagoon and inlet on Selby Road; it can be reached quite easily from surrounding hotels providing ayurvedic treatment in Sri Lanka including the likes of Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions.
Things to See
Visitors can take in the eastern ramparts with mounds marking the spots where the bastions once existed. A well-maintained archway, bell tower, and an ancient granite slab with the year 1678 inscribed on it too can be observed.
Things to Do
The fort doesn’t make for much of a visit on its own, so do make time for a stroll along the lagoon and fish market. One can also stop for a refreshing king coconut drink which is sold in stalls lining the street to beat the mid-day heat.
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+
