SRI LANKA - Galle

10:04 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

The port of Galle was founded by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century. In 1598, the Dutch took over and demolished all signs of the Portuguese presence, building their own fort, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Galle is the best remaining example of a European fortified city in south Asia and Galle Fort is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.

Galle had been a major port, the largest city in Sri Lanka and the European administrative centre for more than four centuries.

View of Galle International Cricket Stadium from the fort. Cricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka.

The fort was first built by the Portuguese in 1588 to withstand attack from the Sri Lankan kingdoms to the north.

The Dutch captured the coastal cities from the Portuguese, rebuilt and enhanced the defence system of the fort in 1663.

Even though the Portuguese were in Galle for more than a hundred years, you cannot find anything Portuguese, as all signs of Portuguese presence were destroyed by the Dutch.

The Siege of Galle begun on 8th March 1640 when the Dutch who were in alliance with the Kingdom of Kandy, began bombarding the fort led by Commodore Willem Jacobz Coster.

After four consecutive days of bombardment, the Dutch troops stormed the fort and secured a victory on 13th March 1640.

Portuguese colonial rule in Sri Lanka ended after the loss of Colombo in 1656 and Jaffna in 1658.

Galle provided the Dutch control over the richest and most fertile cinnamon lands in southern Sri Lanka.

The acquisition of Galle also provided them with a large port which was later used as a naval base to attack Portuguese strongholds in southern India.

Entrance to the fort is free, but you can always engage a local guide to bring you around the fort explaining the history of the fort as you go along, for a fee of course.

Galle is one the most ancient seaport and was known as Gimhathiththa when Ibn Batuta landed here in 1344, where it was the principle port of Ceylon.

It is believed that Galle may have been the main entrepot for Cinnamon as early as 1400 BC. Called as the ‘Port of Call of the Levant’ it was a busy port, trading with Greece, Arab countries and China.

The 90 acre fort which is now a UNESCO Worlds Heritage Site is big. Walking around the fort under the hot blazing sun isn't such a good idea.

Best to explore the fort early in the morning.

Well, since I’m here, I had to brave the heat from the sun.

Galle Fort was constructed using coral and granite stones and even after 400 years, the fort still holds up well.

The architecture of the fort is significant in that the weight of the roof is supported solely by the walls as there are no pillars inside.

A beautiful Spanish styled church at a hilltop can be seen from the fort. The Cathedral of St, Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galle.

A destroyer warship can be seen docked near the Fort of Galle.

Some sections of the fort is off limits to people as it is part of the Sri Lanka Military base. No photographs are allowed at these areas. If caught, you’ll be in for a long questioning by military personnel patrolling the fort.

The rocky peninsular of Galle lies off the south west Coast of Sri Lanka.

Such a beautiful view of the ocean from the fort.

The British captured the city from the Dutch and the Fort of Galle was handed over to the English on 23rd February 1796, one week after the surrender of Colombo.

The British did not make many changes since they eventually shifted the capital north to Colombo, thereby preserving the atmosphere of the days of Dutch occupation.

Galle was the main port of the Sri Lanka and reached the height of development in the 18th century during the Dutch colonial period.

However, the importance of Galle declined after the British developed Colombo as Sri Lanka’s capital and main port in the nineteenth century.

That’s my macho beau.

I’m loving the ocean breeze.

The wind sure is strong here.

The Boxing Day Tsunami on 26th December 2004, impacted the city.

The city was devastated and thousands were killed in the city alone. Those who managed to climbed to the top of the fort was spared because of the strong structure and high walls of the fort.

The Dutch encircled the whole of the peninsula with bastioned stone wall so as to render it impregnable against other European invaders vying with Holland for the supremacy of the sea.

Galle Lighthouse is Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse dating back to 1848. The lighthouse was reconstructed after the original lighthouse was destroyed by fire in 1934.

Hmmm. I wonder what the school girls are doing walking in circles?

School girls were delighted to pose for the camera.

The photographer being photographed by me.

Galle Railway Station.

The Dutch Reformed Church built on the site of a previous Portuguese church, was completed in 1754. The church contains records of marriages from 1748 and baptism records from 1678.

Galle is not only home for the Dutch Fort but a gathering point for travellers from nearby beach resort villages.

Stopped here for lunch.

The Sunset Coffee Bar is located along Galle Road in Hikkaduwa.

Just relax and enjoy the beach!

Enjoying the spectacular view of the ocean while waiting for my food to be prepared.

The sound of the gentle waves and the breeze add to the tranquillity of the surroundings.

Lunch by the beach. What more can one wish for?

There are several restaurant and hotels which are largely found along Galle Road. Some of restaurants can be really packed with people. The first restaurant I went was packed. My tour guide then recommended the Sunset Coffee Bar.