Galle Fort

Galle Fort is one of five historical attractions Sri Lanka included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Therefore, this is just a must-visit place, especially if you are vacationing on the Southern Beaches. It is the largest fortress in Asia built by Europeans.

The original fortress on this site was built by the Portuguese in 1588. However, with the arrival of the Dutch here in the 17th century, the fortress was almost completely rebuilt, and therefore today it is considered a Dutch fortress, and the date of its foundation is considered to be 1663 (the date of completion of construction). For almost 200 years after that, the fortress was the main port of Sri Lanka, it served as a stopping place for ships en route from Europe to Asia.

Today, the fort is an entire urban area called the Old Town. In fact, within the fort is also the tourist area Galle. Surrounded by the walls of the fort are hotels and shops, cafes and restaurants, offices and banks, there is a market. However, life here flows as if on its own. There is no such fuss as just a few hundred meters from the fortress, in the center of the city. There is a quiet, almost romantic atmosphere, suitable for long walks along the narrow streets.

We can say that Galle Fort is a whole complex of attractions, because in addition to the walls and ancient buildings inside there are several museums, antique shops, a lighthouse, a bell tower, jewelry workshops, a church and a mosque. All these places can be visited during a walk around the fort, but even if they are closed or do not want to go there, the walk along the walls of the fort and its streets, which have preserved the ancient architecture, will bring pleasure.

The fort is always open, as it is part of the city. You can get inside through two entrances (the main gate and the Old Gate). On the approach to the fort, a lot of tuk-tukers of crooks are on duty, who catch tourists and, under the pretext that the fort is not working today, offer to take a ride to other attractions of Galle (and in fact, call in several bait spice and tea shops). Sometimes, under the same pretext, they try to lure hapless tourists to the Information Center, where they offer to buy excursions. Remember: the fort is always open. No entrance fee is charged, but for the inspection of individual attractions will have to pay.

If you have enough time, we would recommend that you not only walk through the center and streets of the fort, but also go around its perimeter, along the walls. To do this, there are several stairs leading up.

Attractions inside the Fort

Here are some of the most popular attractions inside the fort, but this is not a complete list of them. On the territory there are boards with maps and information in English, with which you can learn about other interesting places.

• National Maritime Museum (Maritime Archaeology Museum)

  

  Since Galle has long been the main port of the country, it is not surprising that this museum is located here, telling about the past, present and future of navigation. The exposition is not particularly remarkable and a little outdated. The models of boats of ships, ancient Amphora, coins, bronze products, anchors, statues, cannons, etc.found in the sea are presented. the museum premises are large, but there are not many exhibits.

  🕐 Working hours: 07:00 – 18:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 650 rupees (see Sri Lanka currency and exchange rate).

  🚶 How to get there: Church street, Museum on the map

• National Museum

  

  This is something like a local history museum. There are traditional masks, braid, luxury goods, religious items and the like. All of them have one thing in common: these items came here in the past through the port of Galle.

  🕐 Working hours: 09:00 – 17:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 300 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: Church street, Museum on the map

• Dutch Reformed Church

  

  The original church was built on this site in 1640, but today's building dates back to 1752. On the ground floor of the church you can see ancient tombstones from European Graves (the oldest from 1662). The church organ, still in operation, dates from 1760.

  🕐 Working hours: during daylight hours.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, donations are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: Church street, church on the map

• All Saints Church

  

  Another interesting Church is directly opposite the Maritime Museum. Inside the church is not very well maintained, but donations are actively collected for restoration, so photographing inside is allowed only for money, and in general donations are welcome. It was built in 1871 by the Anglican Communion.

  🕐 Working hours: during daylight hours.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, donations are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: Church street, church on the map

• Historical mansion

  

  This is one of the most interesting places in the Fort. It's a museum, antiques and jewelry store all in one. The entrance here is free, and you will even be given a small tour and will be given plenty to take pictures here, but at the end of the tour you will have to fend off annoying offers to buy something here. And there is something to buy here, especially for lovers of antiquities and jewelry, numismatists and collectors of anything in the world.

  🕐 Working hours: during daylight hours.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, in-store purchases are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: Layn Baan street, church on the map

• Galle Lighthouse

  

  This is not a particularly old lighthouse, it was built in 1938. But it offers one of the most picturesque views of the Bay, and in general it is one of the most photogenic places in the Fort.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Layn Baan street, church on the map

• Meera Mosque

  

  Galle is home to one of the largest Muslim communities, so it is not surprising that there is such an unusual mosque in architecture. It mixed the style of European Catholic cathedrals and the domes of Muslim mosques. Inside it is nothing special, so you can limit yourself to external inspection. But if you want to get inside, you can do it even for non-Muslims.

  🕐 Working hours: during daylight hours. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter during prayers.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: mosque on the map

photo of Fort Galle