Richmond Castle is an anomaly amidst the landscape it’s situated in. Styled by various foreign influence, the mansion would not look out of place in a 19th-century British period drama. Here’s is its elegant and tragic history.
How it All Began
Born to affluence and privilege, Don Arthur Siriwardene was no stranger to elaborate architecture. He schooled in Britain with princes and sons of wealthy and influential men in the British empire.
An Architectural Wonder
Richmond Castle is vast, spreading across 42 acres of a rubber plantation. The mansion has 38 windows and 99 doors. A blend of Roman and Dutch styles was incorporated into making the mansion inspired by Siriwardene’s friend the Maharaja of Ramnad. It was constructed in the hopes of winning the hand of a noble beauty who Siriwardene succeeded in marrying.
The Tragedy
However, the couple were childless and died in separate corners of the country, alone. Many stories abound as to what happened but once can only take a guess.
Today
Today Kalutara is famous for some of the best beach hotels in Sri Lanka. And not many people are aware of Richmond Castle except a selected few. However, a visit is definitely worth it. Richmond Castle can easily be found if you’re staying nearby like at Mermaid Hotel & Club.
