Kalpitiya, located on Sri Lanka’s northwest coast has enjoyed an intriguing reputation as a tourist hotspot. In addition to whale and dolphin watching, the town offers a fascinating array of sights for culture vultures. Make sure you check into one of many fine Sri Lanka resorts on offer in the area, such as the Palagama Resort Kalpitiya. This select property is the ideal beach resort in Sri Lanka from which you can enjoy the area’s many attractions, both at sea and on land. Explore the iconic old Dutch Fort when you are in the area, as it is a splendid testament to the period of Dutch colonization of the island in the late 17th century. Kalpitiya was a strategically important location for the Dutch, as it held command over the entrance to the bay, hence the construction of a fort in the city. The fort was built on the site that once held a stockade and a Jesuit Church built by the Portuguese during their occupation of the island. The walls extend roughly to a height of 4 metres and when you step in through the main archway, you’ll be transported back in time. When you walk the length of the impressive historical compound, you will find the aged remnants of the old Portuguese Jesuit chapel, a commander’s house, an old army barracks and a prison. During British colonization, the fort remained neglected and during the country’s civil war, the Sri Lanka army took it over as a training and operations base during the escalation of the conflict. However, it survived its most recent occupation and remains in excellent condition to this day. It is worth a visit when your travels take you to the northwestern coast for some fun in the sun.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.