Description of the attraction
Galle Fort is located in Galle Bay on the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka, 113 km from Colombo. It was built by the Portuguese in 1588, then fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage that, even after more than four centuries, retains its beautiful appearance thanks to the enormous reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
The history of the fort is very rich, so today it is home to a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. The Sri Lankan government and the Dutch, who still own some property inside the fortress, are trying to make it one of the modern wonders of the world.
The historical and architectural value of the fort was recognized by UNESCO and the building was included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list as "a unique urban ensemble that illustrates the interaction of European and South Asian architecture from the 16th to 19th centuries".
The Galle Fort, also known as the "Dutch Fort" or "Galle Bastion", withstood a tsunami that damaged part of the coastal area of the city of Galle. Since then, it has already been restored. The fort also houses the fashionable resort hotel Amangalla, located near the Dutch Reformed Church. This building was originally built in 1684 to house the Dutch governor and his staff. It was then converted into a hotel and named in 1865 as the New Oriental Hotel. It was used by European passengers traveling between Europe and the port of Halle in the 19th century.
From the walls of the Fort every day you can watch a stunningly beautiful sunset, when the sun literally sinks into the ocean, leaving only crimson traces.
