Sri Lanka is an island with a long history and rich cultural heritage. Walking through the long hallways of the Colombo National Museum you can experience the legacy that is the history of Sri Lanka.
Getting there
The museum is in Colombo 07 right at the heart of the city. You can get there by bus or taxi, but the most fun way is to catch a tuk-tuk from a nearby hotel like Mandarina Colombo. Visiting hours are usually from 09.00 AM to 03.00 PM and it’s open daily except for public holidays. Once you’re done roaming the halls of history, you can dine at some of the best restaurants in Colombo located within easy reach.
A little bit of history
First known as the Colombo Museum, it was founded in 1877 by the British Governor of Ceylon at the time, Sir William Henry Gregory. The beautiful building was a concept of Architect J.G Smither and follows an Italian style of architecture.
Interesting things to see
This museum is the largest in Sri Lanka. It houses the throne and crown jewels of the last Kandyan King which were returned to Sri Lanka by the British Government and many more fascinating artefacts. You will also come across demon masks, traditional puppets, jewellery, rock inscriptions, weapons and more.
Natural history section
The Colombo National Museum has a section dedicated to natural history too which is well worth a visit. It can be found on the same premises but in a separate building; here, you can view ancient fossils, blue whale bones, cave paintings from prehistoric times and other captivating exhibits.
