About Galle Fort
Located on the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka in the bay of Galle, the Galle Fort has been declared as the World Heritage Site. Built by the Portuguese in 1588 and fortified by the Dutch in mid-1600’s, this fort is the symbol of the amalgamation of European architecture and the South Asian traditions.
This fort has achieved the title of the best preserved sea-fort in South Asia. If you take a walk inside the fort, you will realise that the fort still oozes the old world charm. The magnificence of the old building is still intact in its ramparts and the stone walls. The streets around the fort are lined with Dutch colonial villas and the absence of vehicular traffic is a welcome site. The original entrance to the fort still bears the carved symbol of the Dutch East Indies Company.
The fort stands majestically against an ultramarine sea and serves as an incomparable showpiece Galle. The royal glory of this place is long gone but it still mesmerises the visitors with it’s old-worldly, mellow charm. The fort is surrounded by museum, jewellery shops, cafes emerging from colonial columns, and antique shops displaying the colonial era’s curiosities.
The Galle Fort is the cultural symbol of the southern coast of the island and is a must visit place for everyone!
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Places to Visit near Galle Fort
National Maritime Museum, Galle, Southern Province
0.2 km from Galle Fort - See map
The Maritime Museum in Galle is located on the Old Dutch warehouse of the fort of Galle. This is the only museum which showcases the marine...
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Dutch Reformed Church, Galle, Southern Province
0.3 km from Galle Fort - See map
The Dutch Reformed Church completed in 1755, with some resemblance to the ones in Negapatnam and Cochin in India. Built on a site of earlier...
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Black Fort, Galle, Southern Province
0.3 km from Galle Fort - See map
Black Fort, also called Zwart Fort, which can be reached after walking along the Galle fort wall is the oldest built bastion by the Portuguese....
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Flag Rock, Galle, Southern Province
0.3 km from Galle Fort - See map
To the extreme south of the Fort lies the naturally occurring giant rock that was once used by the Portuguese as the defence wall. The sea, at...
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Lighthouse Beach, Galle, Southern Province
0.4 km from Galle Fort - See map
The lighthouse, 18 meters tall, is located at the eastern end of the Galle Fort. It towers on the Point Utrecht Bastion. From here can be viewed...
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Galle Lighthouse, Point Utrecht Bastion, Southern Province
0.4 km from Galle Fort - See map
Point Utrecht Bastion is one of the 14 bastions of this fortified city. It is located at the farthest end of the East of the Galle Fort and its...
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Rumassala Mountain, Southern Province
5.6 km from Galle Fort - See map
The beautiful and historical Rumassala Mountain is also called the “Mythical Mountain of Sri Lanka”. Staying true to its acronym, this place...
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Jungle Beach, Unawatuna, Sabaragamuwa Province
5.8 km from Galle Fort - See map
The Jungle beach is located between Galle and Unawatuna. This place is less known to tourists and is thus less crowded which makes it appealing...
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Japanese Peace Pagoda (Unawatuna), Southern Province
6.1 km from Galle Fort - See map
The Japanese Peace Pagoda is located in the majestic city of Galle, Sri Lanka and is the most peaceful attractions of the city. This place is a...
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Unawatuna Beach, Southern Province
6.5 km from Galle Fort - See map
Located about 5kms east of Galle, the Unawatuna Beach is the most popular beach for independent travellers and is the perfect place to spend a few...
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Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya, Galle, Southern Province
7.2 km from Galle Fort - See map
A fine place for temple lovers, the Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya is located just inland from Galle. This is a quiet, rock temple with a 9m...
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Mihiripenna Beach, Unawatuna, Southern Province
9.2 km from Galle Fort - See map
The Mihiripenna Beach located in Unawatuna is a beautiful beach with lovely, soft sand and clear water. An interesting aspect of this beach is...
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