Good Hotels Sri Lanka

Category: Galle Fort

  • Galle

    Galle Fort – Galle Town – Galle Beach

    known as Gimhathiththa in ancient times is the administrative capital of the southern province of Sri Lanka, situated 119km far from Colombo. The city was called as “the cape of birds” by ancient Greek and Roman geographers and Ptolomy has refered to the port as “Odoka”.

    The climate of Galle is a tropical rain forest climate and the temperature does not vary much throughout the year. The average temperature is reported as 26 c°. The city is governed by the Galle municipal council and the population includes Sinhalese, Moor and many other ethnic groups.

    The city is well know for Galle fort catalogued as a world heritage site by UNESCO since it displays a combination of Portugese architectural structures and the traditional Sri Lankan architecture. This is the largest fortress which still remains in Asia built by Europeans.

    ▪𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿,
    ▪𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺,
    ▪𝗦𝘁. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗹,
    ▪𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹,
    ▪𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹,
    ▪𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲,
    ▪𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿,
    ▪𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺,

    are few other attractive landmarks of the city.
    The city is a historical city often explored by wanderers and visitors and the best part of the story is that you can wander around the city by foot and experience all of its exotic sites which have turned the city into a place of great architectural and archaeological value.

    Rumassala in Unawatuna is a breath- taking geographical site in Galle district and it safeguards the eastern side of the Galle harbour while being a protective barrier.
    As most of the coastal areas in Sri Lanka, the city was attacked by Tsunami in 2004 causing death to many residents as well as for thousands of local and foreign travellers. However, the beauty of the city was reformed once again after this tragic disaster.
    Galle, with a multi religious and multi ethnic population and a large amount of floating travellers, is an attractive city and a cultural heritage. This is a must-see site by any traveller since it contains many interesting views which fascinate the eye of any ardent observer!

  • GalleFort

    GalleFort

    Galle Fort is a ancient stone fort built to protect the coastal city of Galle, in the southern province of Sri Lanka. The fort was built hundreds of years ago and the walls are made of stone and brick. You can pass your time walking along the old battlement walls, every corner give a unique and interesting experience.

    The present lighthouse is made of stone, some of the stonework was shipped from England and Scotland to make the structure.

    The Galle Lighthouse, also known as Pointe de Galle Light, is an onshore lighthouse in Galle, Sri Lanka and is operated by Sri Lanka Ports Authority. This is Sri Lanka’s oldest light station.

    Philippus Baldaeus, a Dutch minister detailed Galle Harbour stated in the 1950s, that there was an iron cannon placed on the ramparts and a lantern to guide the sailors on top of the 28 feet above sea level rock which jutted out into the sea.

    The first lighthouse at Galle was built by the British in 1848. It was a 24.4 m-high (80 ft) iron lighthouse, onstructed from cast-iron plates, imported from England, designed by British architect Alexander Gordon and erected by Messrs. Robinson, Engineers of Pimlico.

    The lighthouse, painted white, was located on the southwest bastion (the Utrecht Bastion) of Galle Fort on the western side of Galle Harbor. It had a fixed point light with prolate reflectors, which was visible for 19 km (12 mi). In July 1936 it was destroyed by fire.

    The current 26.5 m-high (87 ft) concrete lighthouse was erected by the British about 100 m (330 ft) from the original site in 1939.
    The light was originally fitted with a glass prism lens floating in a bath of mercury (to reduce friction) and was powered by a weight driven machine, which is still in the lighthouse, but has been replaced by a modern LED light.

    The light station is within the walls of the ancient Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well known tourist attraction.

    The lighthouse is strategically located at the southern end of the promontory, built approximately 6 m (20 ft) above the road level on the ramparts, at what is known as the Point Utrecht Bastion, giving it full view of any ships entering Galle Harbour.

    GalleLighthouse

    It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and considered to be one of the best preserved fortifications in Asia. Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the fort was later expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century.

    The fort encompasses the old town of Galle, and contains a number of historical buildings, including churches, museums, and colonial-style homes.

    It is now a popular tourist destination, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, rich history, and beautiful views of the Indian Ocean.

    Galle Fort has several attractions, including:

    • Dutch Reformed Church
    • Amangalla Spa & Restaurant
    • National Maritime Museum
    • All Saints Anglican Church
    • The lighthouse
    • The ramparts
    • The Gatehouse
    • Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
    • Historical Mansions & Houses
    • Spice & Herb Garden.

     

    Here are some of the popular foods to eat in Galle Fort:

    • Kottu Roti – a popular street food dish made with chopped roti and vegetables, spiced up with a variety of seasonings and sauces.
    • Curry – a variety of curries made with chicken, fish or vegetables are popular in Galle Fort.
    • Rice and Curry – the staple dish of Sri Lanka, made with steamed rice and a variety of curries.
    • Fish Roast – grilled or fried fish served with rice or roti.
    • Hoppers – a popular breakfast food made with fermented rice flour, shaped into a bowl and fried until crispy.
    • String Hoppers – steamed rice noodles served with curry or other condiments.
    • Lamprais – a traditional Sri Lankan dish made with rice, curry, and other accompaniments wrapped in a banana leaf.
    • Cuttlefish Fry – deep-fried cuttlefish seasoned with spices and served with rice or roti.
    • Seafood – Galle Fort is famous for its seafood, and there are many restaurants that serve a variety of seafood dishes such as grilled fish, crab curry, and prawn fried rice.

    Here are some popular restaurants in Galle Fort that people recommend:

    • The Fort Bazaar – offers traditional Sri Lankan cuisine and European dishes in a colonial-style setting.
    • The Green Cabin – known for its organic food and vegetarian options.
    • Dutch Hospital Restaurant – serves international cuisine in a charming colonial building.
    • Cafe Red – serves a mix of Asian and Western dishes in a trendy atmosphere.
    • Pedlar’s Inn – offers a variety of food, including pizza, pasta, and seafood, in a relaxed setting.
    • Ambrosia – serves Asian and Mediterranean cuisine in a romantic candlelit setting.
    • The Slowboat Café – offers a menu of fresh, healthy and tasty food with a Mediterranean twist.
    • Vinum Cafe & Wine Bar – serves contemporary cuisine with a focus on wine pairings.
    • These are just a few of the options available in Galle Fort, and the area has plenty of other restaurants and cafes to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste.
    Pizza is very popular in Galle Fort and there are many pizza restaurants located in seaward part of Galle Fort, Sri Lanka. They are known for wood-fired pizzas and delicious Italian cuisine, made with the freshest ingredients and a blend of local spices. The restaurants are relaxed, casual atmosphere and offers indoor and outdoor seating options. Customers rave about the Margherita pizza, seafood pasta, and garlic bread, as well as the friendly service and charming location.