Colombo is a large and vibrant city in Sri Lanka with a mixture of modern life amid historical structures that provides a great experience of history and culture through the decades. Colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British, one is sure to find many remnants of the past within the city alone. Berjaya Hotel Colombo is a great place to stay that is conveniently located close to many historical attractions. With plenty of restaurants in Mount Lavinia to choose from, dining in the city offers a platter of different cuisines from all around the world.
The Colombo Fort District was first built by the Portuguese as a defence mechanism from invaders, and later developed by the Dutch; where structures from both colonials still stands as a timeless beauty in this busy area. Located within the Fort is the Colombo Harbour which had been used by the Greeks, Egyptians, and Arabian merchants for trade and shipping routes. The British rule saw the development of Colombo which became the commercial hub. The British built the Parliament opposite Galle Face Green which is now known as the Presidential Secretariat. The Colombo lighthouse was built in 1860 as a clock tower and later transformed to a lighthouse in 1865. Although no longer operational, the lighthouse still functions as a clock tower at the junction of Chatham Street and Janadhipathi Mawatha.
The Independence Commemoration Hall was built after the locals gained independence from the British in 1948. Recognizable by concrete columns and designed to resemble a Kandyan audience hall, this historical structure signifies ancient architecture mixed with elaborate stone carvings and paintings. The monument is guarded by stone lions and is considered to be one of the most prestigious landmarks in Colombo.
The Colombo National Museum resembles an Italian colonial type mansion and is oldest and largest museum in the country, preserving a large number of artefacts from across the country. The Colombo Dutch House Museum was a colonial mansion from the 17th century which has been restored as a museum of the Dutch occupation featuring exhibits, furniture and ceramics from that time.
Maggie Tulliver is a passionate travel writer. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+
