The Galle Face Green is situated in the very heart of Colombo, a stretch of greenery that spreads perpendicular to the Indian Ocean.
The Introduction
If you are staying in a luxury hotel in Colombo, you will be in close quarters to this promenade and could walk there in an evening. It was originally built in 1859 by Governor Sir Henry George Ward and used for recreational activities.
The History
While the Galle Face has rapidly diminished due to the building of Port City and by erosion, the original promenade stretched out over a big course and was established by the Dutch for military purposes. They placed cannons in order to defend Colombo from the Portuguese, hence the derivative; Galle Face.
The Sports
Over the years, the green was used for horse races, then golf and finally cricket, with the inaugural Royal-Thomian match being played there in 1879.
The Galle Face Today
Today, the Galle Face Green has whittled down to a small strip. It is situated in close quarters to Cinnamon Grand Colombo. It is still used as a park by people and vendors, particularly during the weekend. It is a wonderful location for families to hang out, fly kites and play on the beach together.
