The story of the Galle Dutch Fort; a UNESCO World Heritage Site reverberates through every traveller’s photos and captions. Initially built by the Portuguese in the 16th century during their conquests, the fort was later fortified and conquered by the Dutch in the 17th century, until it later fell to the might of the British. The old town of Galle was once used as a trading port for spices and other goods for over 200 years. However, today, the fort has been transformed into a place of history, romance and beauty where travellers are warmly welcomed to dive head first into the exotic stories and be a part of this heritage site.

Fifty Lighthouse Street is set within the fort and offers the perfect base for you to explore the charms of Galle. Preserved in its original glory, stroll along the ramparts and admire the imposing structures like the Galle Lighthouse, Galle Clocktower and the Groote Kerk. A Galle Fort Walking Tour with us, will reveal secrets that only a local from within the fort will know. Our walking tour takes you through the backroads of this iconic fort, visiting charming structures, museums, old buildings and more as you hear endless stories, legends and some secrets of the Galle Dutch Fort.

Location and Significance

Situated around 3.5 kilometres away from Galle’s city centre, the Galle Clock Tower can be found inside the Galle Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), immediately within its ramparts. The clock tower was built in the late 19th century in honour of Dr Peter Daniel Anthonisz, a Colonial Surgeon born in Galle who cared for the people of the Southern Province. Dr Anthonisz was also a part of the Legislative Council of Ceylon, which was the first representative government body in Sri Lanka. The inscription on the plaque at the clocktower reads:

“This tower erected by public subscription to the perpetual memory of Peter Daniel Anthonisz (born in Galle) in testimony of his skill and benevolence in relieving human suffering. MDCCCLXXXIII”.

What You Can Witness

The Galle Clock Tower stands over 25 metres tall on the site of what was once the guardroom, and overlooks the central Moon Bastion and Galle Cricket Stadium. The design of the clock tower was based on the work of John Henry Guess Landon, while the clock itself was donated as a gift by Mudaliyar Samson de Abrew Rajapakse, a patient of Dr Anthonisz who wanted to show his gratitude for the care that he received. The clock no longer tells the time, but the monument to the doctor still stands and is today a major landmark for visitors to the historic Galle Fort. Although the clock tower was built during the time when Sri Lanka was under British rule, the statues dotted around the structure were erected after Sri Lanka achieved its independence.

The Galle Lighthouse is an onshore lighthouse in Galle, Sri Lanka and is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. This is Sri Lanka's oldest light station.

All Saints' Church is an Anglican church located within the Galle fort in Galle, Sri Lanka and is located on Church Road.

History

Interior of the All Saints' Church

The decision to build an Anglican church at Galle, was initiated by the first Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. James Chapman. The foundation of the church was laid on 30 October 1868, by Rev. Dr. Piers Calveley Claughton, the second Bishop of Colombo. The construction of the church was facilitated by a grant of the land and £600 from the 13th Governor of Ceylon, Sir Hercules Robinson. A further £1,000 contribution was received from an English parish. The church was designed by James George Smither, the government architect, who later designed the National Museum of Colombo. The church was constructed on the site of a former Court House (1780s). The gallows it is said stood on the site of the present altar. The Anglican congregation in Galle which, up to then, worshipped in the Dutch Church. The church was consecrated on 21 February 1871 by Bishop Claughton, assisted by the church's first vicar, Rev. Dr. George Justus Schrader (1829-1875).[1][2]

In recognition of Rev. Dr. Schrader's significant contribution to the church, a large bell was placed in his memory in the centre dome of the church in 1876. In the mid 1960s, for security reasons the bell was lowered and was left to be sold. It was subsequently bought by the diocese and is now housed in the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour in Colombo.[3] The current bell was acquired by the church in 1968. The bell came from the Liberty Ship, "Ocean Verity", and was donated by the Clan Line Steamship Company.

The first Baptism at All Saints was Lilian Slade Godolphin Ozanne on 21 February 1871 and the first marriage was held on 25 March 1871, between James Weir and Jane Strene King.

Architecture

It was built on a basilican plan in a Victorian Gothic Revival style of architecture, modified to suit local climate. The plan of the Church is cruciform firmly supported on stone columns and arches carved beautifully in timber. Masonry arches built in local kabuk and lime mortar. The heavy pews, with carvings of the Jewish Star of David, and the sanctuary are all made from Burmese teak.

This park is considered one of the most beautiful public parks in the city of Galle, and although it was completely destroyed by the tsunami in 2004, the government worked to restore it to become one of the most beautiful parks visited by locals and tourists. The park offers many services and facilities such as clean paths and paths shaded by green trees. And the picturesque, where there are more than 120 trees and diverse plants, in addition, the garden provides playgrounds for young children with safe and entertaining games, and visitors can wander in the spacious spaces and breathe fresh air or sit comfortably on the available seats. .

The Old Dutch Hospital, Galle (also known as The Old Galle Dutch Hospital) is one of the oldest buildings in the Galle Fort area dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. The heritage building has now been developed into a shopping and dining precinct.[1]

History

Built as a hospital by the Dutch, it has been used for several different purposes, over the years. The Dutch established the Galle hospital to look after the health of the officers and other staff serving under the Dutch East India Company. The hospital's close proximity to the harbour allowed it to serve Dutch seafarers. The hospital was constructed on the site of the Portuguese mint between the Black Fort and Aurora bastion.[2]

During the 17th Century, the Dutch constructed a two-storey hospital on the eastern side of Galle fort. It was designed with long colonnaded verandas on both sides and floors of the building. The Dutch used cabook (coral stone) for the masonry work, with granite paved floors and thick plinth walls. Later, the masonry work was plastered over and white washed. After the British captured the fort in February 1796 they extended the building towards the north along the same ground plan. They used bricks as building materials and introduced glazed windows and glazed fanlights to this section. They also built a subsequent extension towards the sea starting from the middle of the existing building. Whilst built at different times the construction and design make the building appear as a single entity.[3]

In 1850 the British converted the hospital into a barracks.[4] They then used the building for the office of the Government Agent, who was the chief administrator of the district, until the country's independence in 1948.

Old Dutch Hospital (2013) prior to its conversion

Following Sri Lanka's independence the building was used as the Galle Town Hall. The first meeting of the Galle Municipal Council was held on 26 April 1967 at the Galle Kachcheri building. Over the years, the space inside the original building became too small for its new function. The verandahs, as well as parts of the colonnades, were filled with offices. In 2003 the offices were relocated to sites outside Galle fort.

In 2006 the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), with funding from American Express and the World Monuments Fund (WMF) commenced conservation and restoration works to the roof, walls, windows and other architectural details, as well as updating the building's sewage system. These works continued until December 2009 when water seepage caused a portion of the two-story building and colonnade to collapse. The restoration works were subsequently completed in March 2011.

In 2014, the building was converted into a shopping and dining precinct, with the historic architecture having been preserved. The renovation and conversion works was carried out by the Urban Development Authority with the assistance of the 10th Engineering Regiment of the Sri Lankan Army.[4][5] The complex was formally opened by President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa on 20 September 2014.[6][7]

Architecture

The building reflects seventeenth-century Dutch colonial architecture.

The building is designed to keep out the heat and humidity and provide a comfortable environment within. Like many Dutch buildings of the era, the walls are 50 cm (20 in) thick. The structure features massive teak beams. The upper floor can be reached with a wooden staircase. The upper storey has a wooden floor. Long open verandahs run along the length of each wing of the building.

The Groote Kerk or Dutch Reformed Church is located within the Galle fort in Galle, Sri Lanka and is situated near the entrance to the fort. The church was built by the Dutch in 1755 and is one of the oldest Protestant churches still in use in the country.[1]

History

The current existing church is believed to be the third building in the fort to serve the Dutch Reformed Church, the first being located near the Galle Clock Tower and the second, more elaborate building was constructed opposite the present church, with only the belfry remaining today. The present church is said to have been built on the site of a Portuguese Capuchin Convent.

Watercolour painting of the Dutch Reformed Church, Galle by J. L. K. van Dort (1888)

The present church was built on the highest point in the Galle fort, which stands more than 12 m (39 ft) above sea level. The foundations of the church were initially laid in 1682 but further work stagnated for a number of decades. In 1755 the Commandeur of Galle, Casparus de Jong (Lord of Spanbroek), and his wife Geertruyda Adriana Le Grand donated the money for the church to be constructed as a thanksgiving for the birth of their daughter for which he had waited for many years. The child was not baptised until the church was completed. An entry in the Baptismal Register gives the date of baptism as 24 August 1755. In 1760 a second-hand organ from Colombo was installed in the church.

The church underwent various changes during the British Period. A stained glass window was built into the west façade of the church around 1830 and a communion rail was built in the south wing. At the beginning of the 20th century, a small organ was placed in the south wing. Around 1890, a canopy was built above the stained glass window to protect it from leaking.

Belfry

The church's detached belfry, which was erected in 1701, stands over the road from the church, at the corner of Queen's Street. The bell was cast in 1709 and was rung on Sundays to announce the services at the church.

Architecture

The church was constructed in the Doric style of the period, in a similar manner to the Wolvendaal Church in Colombo, the church is also in the form of a cruciform, only the transepts are shorter. Two arches separate them from the nave. The church has no central tower inside to bear the weight of the roof and as a result is compensated by the addition of two large dutch gables to the north and to the south. It is also decorated with an unusual double scroll moulding, unique to this church. The masonry gables are finished off with three flamed-like finials. The two large timber doors and stained glass windows provide light and ventilation. The high vaulted ceiling was originally painted blue and studded with golden stars. The main timber used for the roof was iron wood.

The wooden pulpit is built in an hexagonal shape with calamander panelling mixed with local satinwood. High pews were erected along the walls for the Commandeur, the Deacons and the Dutch East India Company (VOC) officials. The pews along the southern end were dismantled to accommodate the altar and communion rails of the Anglican community who were allowed to use the church from the time of the early British rule down to 1867. Presently, in place of the altar, an organ is located on this location.

Restoration

The Groote Kerk was fully renovated with a financial grant from the Dutch Embassy. On 28 November 2004, the then President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumaratunga officially inaugurated the renovated building in the presence of the Dutch Ambassador, Susan Blankhart, the President of the Dutch Reformed Church, Charley Jansz and numerous distinguished guests. The conservation programme for the church restoration won a 2005 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award for best practice.[2]

The church did not suffer any damage from the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake due to its relative height and protection by the walls of the Galle fort.

Galle Harbour is a natural harbour, located in Galle, on the south-western coast of Sri Lanka. Currently Galle port serves as one of the most active regional ports in the country. It is also the only Sri Lankan port that provides facilities for pleasure yachts

The Galle National Museum is established in the oldest Dutch building of the Galle fort, constructed in 1656.

To aware the public on traditional cultural heritage of Southern Sri Lanka, the Department of National Museums developed this museum and opened to the public on 31st March 1986. Galle National Museum displays a wide range of archaeological and anthropological objects inherited in Southern region. Collection of traditional masks used in various rituals, collection of ornamental objects made up of turtle shells, ancient wooden carvings and a Beeralu collection are important visitor attractive exhibits in the museum. The influence of Dutch is depicted by the equipments used in Dutch ships came to the Galle harbor. Large water vessels, V.O.C. porcelain objects and arms and weapons used by the Dutch soldiers are among the exposition.     

The Galle National Museum plays an important role as a center of education in the Southern region.

The Historical Mansion Museum is a Dutch house restored into a museum situated in Leyn Baan Street in Galle Fort. The museum is owned by a long time resident of Galle Fort and may very well be the largest private museum in the country. It also includes a Dutch well in the courtyard which dates back to 1763. The museum consists of antique typewriters, jewelry, cameras, VOC China and many more colonial artifacts. Apart from this history comes alive where there are live presentations of traditional crafts such as ‘beeralu’ lace embroidery, gem cutting and polishing. Everything on display at this museum is also for sale.

Japanese Peace Pagoda is situated in Rumassala in Unawatuna. It is run by a Japanese priest and is surrounded on either sides by the Jungle Beach and Unawatuna Beach.The Galle Fort can also be seen in all its glory from this point. The stupa is a popular location to view the beauty of sunset and sunrise.

Jungle Beach is a very famous and beautiful beach located in Rumassala, Galle. This is a hidden beach in the past. At that time it was known as the "White Dam". The corals act as a natural breakwater so the waves do not get rough here. Also special is the variety of fish species found in the coral reefs.

Jungle Beach is the perfect place for a shallow safe bath. The beach at the foot of the Rumassala hills is so called because of the Rumassala forest. The Jungle Beach is a difficult trek through the Rumassala jungle. Jungle Beach features a white sand dune, a shallow blue sea, and a safe beach with no ripples.

The sea here is not very deep. So even small children can take a safe bath. The other is that the waves are not too strong here. So there is no problem. There is a small restaurant on the jungle beach where you can have a good rest.

The Kanneliya Forest Reserve is situated in the Udugama – Hiniduma Road in Galle. It is also known as the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya forest complex and is the last remaining large rainforest in Sri Lanka apart from Sinharaja. Kanneliya harbors many plants and animals endemic to Sri Lanka. It sits on area of 10,139 ha and is governed by the Department of Forest Conservation.

The Kanneliya Forest Reserve was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2004. The Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga rivers are sourced from within the forest. It is identified as one of the most floristically rich areas in South Asia.

The Kanneliya Forest Reserve had a few waterfalls in and around the area. Anagimale Ella Waterfall is located close to the entrance of the forest reserve whereas Narangas Ella Waterfall is situated much deeper inside the forest. Malamura Waterfall is located a few kilometers away from the Kanneliya Forest Reserve in the village of Panangala.

Note: There are leeches in the forest. So don’t forget to put on your anti-leech socks or spray to keep yourself protected.

Getting to Kanneliya Forest Reserve

From Galle take the Galle – Udugama Road and go past Walahanduwa, Isivara and Akmeemana up until you reach Yakkalamulla. From there take the Yakkalamulla – Ketanwila Road and go up to the Panangala village. Travel about 12 km from there up until you reach the village of Koralegama. Travel about 2 km further to reach the Kanneliya Forest Reserve.

Have you seen the waves dancing freely? Koggla beach is one such place where you will find a combination of warmth of the golden sand beneath your feet along with sea breeze caressing you. Located 140km from Colombo, this idyllic place is for all the beach lovers to spend some time and enjoy life as they have always wanted to . Leave your care and worries behind and just be a part of some breath-taking moments.

The National Maritime Museum or National Maritime Archaeology Museum in Galle, Sri Lanka is situated within Galle Fort. It was first opened to the public on 9 May 1992 and is located in a 1671 Dutch Warehouse above the Old Gate of Galle Fort

Koggala Martin Wickramasinghe Museum Complex is situated on the Galle – Matara Main Road in Koggala. It is the ancestral home of the renowned Sri Lankan Writer and Poet Martin Wickramasinghe where he lived with his family. The surviving part of the house has been converted in to a museum complex displaying artifacts, photographs, awards and souvenirs of the great writer. The house converted in to a museum is located in a naturally breathtaking backdrop in this small village.

The Meeran Jumma Mosque (Sinhala: ගාලු කොටුව මීරාන් ජුම්මා මස්ජිදය), commonly known as Galle Fort Mosque, is a mosque located within Galle Fort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka.

History

The current two-storey building was commissioned in 1904 by Ahamed Haji Ismail,[1][2] allegedly on the site of a Portuguese catholic church. Although it is claimed that it was the original site of a mosque built in the 1750s, predating the Portuguese occupation. The numerals painted on the front wall of the mosque state the year 1325 Hijri, which supports the notion that a prayer space existed here before the 20th century.

Ismail was a devout wealthy Muslim, who also commissioned mosques in Weligama and Poruwa. The mosque is named in honour of Meeran Saheb of South India who is buried in Nagore Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India, and was widely regarded as the patron saint of sailors to and from Sri Lanka. Jumma Mosque literally means "Friday Mosque" or commonly the principal mosque.

Architecture

The mosque was constructed in a mixture of Victorian/Baroque architecture styles, with Islamic detailing.

Mihiripenna Beach is situated in Unawatuna in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. It is a beautiful beach with safe swimming for the entire family. It is adjacent with the Turtle Beach in Unawatuna and has many restaurants where travelers can take a break. It is known as one of the best natural pools in Sri Lanka

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a forest reserve and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.[1]

According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. 50% of Sri Lankan's endemics species of animals (especially butterfly, amphibians, birds, snakes and fish species). It is home to 95% endemic birds.

The hilly virgin rainforest, part of the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion, was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility, and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988.

Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. The most common larger mammal is the endemic purple-faced langur.

Birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Sri Lanka crested drongo and the noisy orange-billed babbler. Of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive red-faced malkoha, green-billed coucal and Sri Lanka blue magpie.

Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, especially tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic Sri Lankan birdwing butterfly and leeches.

Etymology

Surrounded in dense fog, the dangerous, dark and mysterious Sinharaja forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word Sinharaja means lion- (සිංහ/சிங்கம் sinha) king or kingdom (රාජ/ராஜா raja), and a popular folk legend has it that a legendary lion lived in this protected forest.

Geography

Location

Sinharaja Forest Reserve covers most of the Kalu Ganga basin and a small part of northern Gin Ganga. Most of the forest (60%) is contained within the borders of Rathnapura District. The other parts include Galle District with 20% and Kaluthara District with 20%.[2]

Natural

The rainforest likely formed during the Jurassic period (from 200 million years to 145 million years ago). This forest encompasses an area of 36,000 hectares (88,960 acres/360 km²).[3] The reserve is only 21 km (13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4.3 mi) from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Sinharaja forest vegetation density has been estimated at around 240,000 plants per hectare, the most dense rain forest in Asia.[4]

Human activity

The reserve is well-integrated with the local population who live in some dozens of villages dotted along the border. The villages are more in number along the southern border whilst the presence of some large estates along the northern border has resulted in only a few villages there. The locals collect herbal medicine, edible fruits, nuts, mushrooms, other non-timber forest products including bees honey and a sugary sap collected from a local palm species of the genus Caryota. The sap is converted into jaggery, a local brew and vinegar. Local people walk in the forest to collect the above items when they are not busy with their other agricultural pursuits. In addition, the crystal-clear water coming from dozens of streams is the main water source for all people living around the reserve. For generations, local people trekked through the forest from south to north to make their annual pilgrimage to the Adams Peak.

In 2013, UNESCO requested to halt the widening of the ancient road linking Lankagama area to Deniyaya along a 1-km jungle patch inside the protected area after a complaint from The Centre for Environmental and Nature Studies of Sri Lanka. The construction recommenced on August 10, 2020 after prolonged appeals by the people living in villages to the Sri Lankan Government. A group of environmentalists carried out a big social media campaign and asked the Sri Lanka Forest Department, the President, the Ministry of Environment and the Central Environment authority to stop this but the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to go ahead with it to improve the livelihood of poor villagers of the area as it will clear only 0.006% of the total landmass of the forest.

Mr. Martin Wijesinhe was one of the most significant people in Sri Lanka in connection to the Sinharaja.[5] He was the unofficial guardian of the Sinharaja. He has been the protector and caretaker of it since the 1950s till his death in 2021

The Sudharmalaya Temple is a Buddhist temple situated within the Galle Fort, which is one of Sri Lanka’s five UNESCO world heritage sites. It sits at the heart of the fort’s main western street (called Rampart Street) opposite the Clippenberg Bastion.

What You Can Witness

A statue of a sitting Buddha outside the small white-painted temple faces the sea over the bastion. Inside, the Sudharmalaya Temple contains a prayer hall, a mini stupa that dates as far back as 1889, a large statue of a reclining Lord Buddha as well as several smaller statues. There is also a small belfry atop the temple’s prayer hall, which may indicate that the building was once used as a church. Today, in addition to the temple’s regular activities, yoga classes are conducted within the temple’s prayer hall.

A Multicultural Hub

The Galle Fort is home to a multi-faith community that live together in harmony, and the temple is one of the three major religious buildings that cater to them, the others being a mosque and a church. More than half of the population are Muslims, who attend the Meeran Mosque located at the end of Rampart Street, opposite the Galle Lighthouse. Meanwhile, a five-minute walk from the temple, the Groote Kerk (or Dutch Reformed Church) caters to the percentage of the population who follow the Christian faith. Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the UN, visited the Galle Fort in 2016 and sat with the local religious leaders; he was said to have been very impressed with the peaceful nature of the interfaith community who lived there.

Thalpe Beach is a beach situated in the Southern province of Sri Lanka, close to the city of Galle. It is a popular destination among both locals and foreigners. There are vibrant shops, restaurant and various water sports related activities to do in the surrounding area of Thalpe.

Beauty of Thalpe and the Thalpe Beach

Thalpe is a quiet town nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the major towns situated in the southern coastal belt. Thalpe town is filled with history, adventure, culture and cuisine along with the Thalpe Beach which is a relatively clean and calm beach. Stilt fishermen are commonly seen in this coastal town and it is a great way to learn more about the way of life in this beautiful coastal town.

According to the villagers the rock pools were cut out of the corals around 50 years ago and was used to soak coconut husks in order to separate the coconut coir.

rock pool beach best time to visit is early morning from March to April. At other times the pools are filled with sand.

Getting to Thalpe Beach

From Galle travel along the Matara Road for approximately 11.2 km to reach Thalpe where the Thalpe Beach is situated.

Unawatuna Beach is situated in Unawatuna town in the Southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. It is a large beach area attracting crowds both locals and foreign tourists. There are many restaurants and shops with the local flavor surrounding the beach area.

Beauty of Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna is one of the most popular beaches in the South as well as the entire island. It is popularly known as a family friendly area especially with the shallow water levels most ideal for swimming. Locals flock in the evening to bathe in the sea. The west end of the beach leads to some rocks and stairs to go up a small hill with a pagoda and a big Buddha statue. It makes for a nice little walk with a beautiful view overlooking the beach.

What to see and do at Unwatuna Beach

This banana-shaped golden sandy beach with its turquoise water is usually crowded during the day with both locals and tourists. Families, including children, come to bathe in this amazing beach which has the best waves for swimming. There are sunbeds for rent and many guesthouses bordering this beach which is surrounded by palm trees. Behind the beach, leads to a road filled entirely with a variety of vendors selling all types of goods including clothes, jewelry and souvenirs.