Galle city sri lanka history. Tatyana Gaiduk's blog. Historical museum in the building of the mansion

Galle is the third largest city in Sri Lanka. Tourists love it for its unique combination of picturesque beaches, exotic nature and rich historical heritage. Galle is very different from other cities in Ceylon. After all, its appearance in ancient times was influenced first by the Portuguese, then by the Dutch, and then by the British. The result is a cozy European town with traditional narrow streets, spacious squares, many churches, mosques and, of course, Buddhist temples. Today, about 100 thousand people live in the city. Most of the working population is employed in the tourism sector, the rest are engaged in fishing, manufacturing glass and textile products.

The city is small. One day is enough to get around it far and wide. Conventionally, Halle can be divided into two parts: the old and the new city. The new part is more modern. Here are the central market, shopping center, bus stations and various cafes. Old Galle is famous for its sights and the unique atmosphere of an old port town, where peace and quiet almost always reign. Like everywhere else in Sri Lanka, people in Galle love the game of croquet. There is even a field for international competitions in this sport. Tours in Galle will be of interest to fans of excursions and active beach holidays.

Climate and weather

Galle has an equatorial climate, which is divided into dry and wet seasons. From April to October, the resort has frequent rains. Humidity rises to 80%. At the same time, the air temperature remains high - up to +34 degrees Celsius. The best time for a tour in Galle can be considered the period from November to March. At this time, it is dry and warm here.

Beaches

There are no equipped beaches for recreation in the city itself. But within a short drive from Galle are the most popular places for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. First of all, this is Unawatuna Beach, which is 5 kilometers from the city. The coastline is not wide, from the side of the mainland it is planted with palm trees. The sand on the beach is fine, beige, and the ocean is very calm. This place is generally considered the safest swimming area in Sri Lanka, as it is protected from strong waves by several strips of coral reefs. This also attracts lovers of diving and snorkeling. On the beach, you can rent the necessary equipment for observing the underwater world, as well as have a bite to eat in one of the cafes. The beach is popular with families with children and lovers of a relaxing holiday.

Just a couple of kilometers (you can walk) is the picturesque beach of Dalawella. There are also no waves here, the entrance to the water is gentle. On both sides, the beach is framed by huge stones, behind which the ocean frolics with might and main, rolling surfers on its waves. The beach is not crowded, locals come here on weekends. For convenience, you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas in the cafe, as well as quench your thirst and hunger.

Hikkaduwa Beach is located 10 kilometers from Galle. This is a much noisier and more party place. Chosen by young people, divers and surfers. Local coral reefs are considered one of the most beautiful in Asia, and the waves on Hikkaduwa beach reach several meters. The coastline is quite wide, the sand is fine, beige. Along the beach stretches an endless string of hotels, guest houses, restaurants, non-stop bars and shops.

Hotels and Inns

Galle cannot be called a "tourist Mecca". Mostly tourists from neighboring resorts come here on excursions. Therefore, most hotels in the city are designed for short stays. Guest houses are very common - houses in which the Sri Lankans themselves live, and some of the rooms are rented to tourists. The price for such a room is usually negotiable. You can bargain and bring down the original price. For a small fee, tourists are offered a minimal set of furniture, the ability to use a shower and toilet, and for an additional amount, they will cook food and even bring food on a tray directly to the room.

The choice of "star" hotels in Halle should be carefully considered, since often the local administration is engaged in assigning stars, without really going into the essence of the issue. Categories of hotels are often overpriced. And even "fours" and "fives" cannot boast of perfect cleanliness in the rooms and good service. The all-inclusive system in Halle is quite common. Therefore, having booked a hotel of a high category, you can count on a comfortable stay by the pool, with a buffet and an evening entertainment program.

It should be borne in mind that there are no hotels with private beaches in Sri Lanka. The coastline is free for visiting by absolutely everyone: both tourists and local residents. Therefore, you will have to pay extra for relaxing on a sun lounger. When choosing a ticket to Galle, you can be sure of one thing: the hotel will certainly be surrounded by the greenery of a tropical garden. This is sacred for the Sri Lankans. In addition, away from the noisy resort, you are guaranteed a restful sleep. Tipping in Sri Lanka is not required, but the hotel staff will not refuse a small reward and will be grateful to help you throughout your vacation.

Attractions

The hallmark of Galle is an ancient fort built in the 17th century to protect the city. The fort has been perfectly preserved to this day and is now the largest monument-fortress in all of Asia. On 36 hectares there are various churches, museums and buildings in the colonial style. Walking along the narrow streets of the fort, it seems that time has stopped here. It is curious that the fortification still performs its function of protecting the city. In 2004, when Sri Lanka was hit hard by a major tsunami, the people who were on the territory of the fort remained safe and sound.

A turtle farm popular with tourists is located a few kilometers from Galle. Turtle eggs collected from the shores of Sri Lanka are brought here. Here, optimal conditions are created for them. The turtles hatch safely and are released into the ocean. The whole process is watched with curiosity by tourists, who are also allowed to take touching photos with baby turtles.

There is another attraction not far from Galle, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Sinharaja rainforest. This is a unique biosphere reserve. Remains of an ancient forest with an area of ​​48,000 hectares. Sinharaja is home to a huge number of different species of animals and birds. Excursions in the tropical jungle are conducted by professional people who, in a few hours, show tourists all the charms of the primeval rainforest of Sri Lanka.

Buddhist and Hindu temples, as well as the Dutch church of the 18th century - St. Mary's Cathedral deserve special attention of tourists in Galle. The Maritime Museum will be interesting for the stronger sex, including the youngest. After all, ancient nautical charts and models of various ships are presented here.

Cuisine and restaurants

In restaurants in Galle, as in all of Sri Lanka, they eat a lot of vegetables, fruits and rice. Cows are sacred animals for the locals, so meat is rarely cooked. In its place, fish and seafood are used. Curry sauce for the Sri Lankans is the same as mayonnaise for the Russians. It is involved in stewing and frying dishes, and is also served as an addition to ready meals. Sri Lankans love chili peppers, so before ordering something from the menu, check how spicy the dish is. For breakfast, the Sri Lankans love to eat hoppers. It is a flatbread with crispy edges, baked in the shape of a cup. An egg is placed in the center and a dish similar to fried eggs is obtained.

In a hotel or cafe, you can also offer kiribat in the morning. This is white rice cooked in coconut milk. The dish is cut into small cubes and served on the table. The mild taste of kiribata is diluted with various spices and sauces. For lunch in Galle, you can try cotta. The dish is somewhat reminiscent of our stew. It is also prepared from a large number of different vegetables, adding meat, fish and eggs. Special piquancy to the kotte is given by a proprietary blend of spices. Be careful! Sometimes the dish is really fiery.

Buriyani and pilau have a more familiar taste for us. These are the "brothers" of our pilaf. Rice dishes with meat or seafood are cooked in cauldrons, adding a large amount of oil and vegetables. Of the sweets in Halle, sugar donuts kyavum and aluva, the local halva, are common. You should definitely try crystallized palm sugar. In Sri Lanka, it's something like caramel.

What to bring

Of course, tea! After all, you are in Ceylon - an island where tea has been grown for many years. The Sri Lankans themselves drink only black tea in combination with milk. In addition to it, they also grow red, green and white teas. There are many varieties of tea. Only black differs in strength and method of collection. The most expensive is white tea. For him, only the tops of the still unblown tea leaves are collected.

In Galle, you can also buy unique handmade wooden crafts. Painted masks are considered good amulets against everything: diseases, evil spirits and bad luck. And skillfully carved figures from ebony ebony are a real talisman. Sri Lanka has long been considered the birthplace of spices. Cinnamon, curry, pepper, vanilla, cardamom, turmeric, saffron and more are grown here. In Galle, you won't see the spices grow, but you can definitely buy a rich blend of spices to take home.

The beautiful half of tourists will surely like the textiles presented in shops and souvenir shops. In terms of the number of fabrics produced, Sri Lanka is not inferior to China. As a souvenir, you can take handmade batik and national silk sari from Halle.

The historic city of Galle (Sri Lanka) is located off the southern coast of the country, 116 km from Colombo and only 5 km from Unawatuna Beach. Built in the 16th century by Portuguese navigators, the port embodies South Asian traditions and elements of European architecture, being a UNESCO protected site.

Before Colombo, Galle remained a major city and the main port of the country for 400 years. Then the Dutch recaptured it, having redevelop the entire defensive system. The city was conquered from the Dutch by the British, who did not change anything, so the atmosphere of that era is still preserved here. At the end of the 19th century, the British expanded the borders of Colombo, making it the main port.

Once Galle was Sri Lanka's largest center for trade between Persian, Arab, Indian, Greek and Roman merchants. A little more than 100 thousand inhabitants live here, among whom there are Buddhists, Hindus, Islam and Catholicism are preached. Developed industries such as textile, food and glass.

There are many good hotels and restaurants in Galle, and although the city is located on the coast, tourists prefer Hikkaduwa or Hikkaduwa. Despite the clear water of a greenish-turquoise hue, there are stones everywhere under water; the city does not have a sandy beach.

Fort Galle

The city of Galle in Sri Lanka is divided into the old and the new part. The border is marked by three powerful bastions over the cricket stadium. Here you will find many old European-style buildings. Popular attractions in Galle include Galle Fort, built by the Dutch from granite at the end of the 17th century.

The ancient fort has hardly changed since the colonial times, so the old part of the city is a must to visit to feel that atmosphere. Above the gate you will see the symbol of the Ottoman Empire - a stone with the image of a rooster. According to legend, it was only thanks to his cry that the lost Portuguese navigators swam to the nameless harbor, after which the city was named.

The fort is on the UNESCO heritage list. The architectural structures of the fort are considered especially interesting. The weight of the roof is supported only by the walls, without the use of internal supports. You can walk all day inside the fort. On its territory there is a popular New East Hotel. This is the oldest hotel in the country, and it was built at the end of the 17th century for the governor. Here and now, high-ranking officials and wealthy people prefer to relax.

The port of Galle in Sri Lanka still accepts fishing and cargo ships, as well as private yachts. The most prominent part of the fort is the lighthouse, in the evening it illuminates the way for distant ships. The harbor has its own unique and inimitable atmosphere, which is so loved by tourists. Photos of Galle in Sri Lanka show that you can admire there not only historical buildings, but also the beautiful Indian Ocean and unique sunsets.

New town

In the new part of the city there is a shopping center with shops and small cozy cafes. Stations and the central market are located on the banks of the Dutch Canal. Tourists like to visit St. Mary's Cathedral.

Although there are almost no significant historical monuments, modern Galle is considered the heart of the city. The narrow streets of Morishe-Kramer Strat and Lane-Ban still have open windows with wooden shutters, terraces and spacious rooms in the best Dutch traditions.

Attractions in Galle

You will always find something to see in Galle. The city is usually visited for excursions to learn more about the culture of this region.

On Church Street National Museum of Culture where you can learn all about the history of the city. Entrance fee, visiting time from 9.00 to 17.00 from Tuesday to Saturday.

Deserves attention National Maritime Museum on Queen Street. On the ground floor you will find an exhibition dedicated to the life of a fisherman. The Museum can be accessed from 9.00 to 17.00. Working days - Tuesday-Saturday.

IN Museum of the Dutch period exhibited the most interesting exhibits from the era of Dutch rule. The museum is housed in private houses on Leyn Baan Street. Admission is free, visiting time is from 8.30 to 17.30 daily.

Tourists love to visit the ancient Gothic church Grote Kerk, which is located near the Amangalla Hotel, on Church Street. There you will find ancient tombstones with images of skulls and bones.

Mosques were built behind the Catholic Church of All Saints, especially tourists like Meera Masjid, but you need to visit this place in appropriate clothing.

Opposite the Dutch church is the house of the Dutch rulers with original stoves inside. It is rumored that there are ghosts there.

Cricket is a popular sport here and the local national team has won many prizes. The cricket field is considered impeccable for this game and is located among the most ancient and valuable monuments near Galle Fort, which makes it even more unique.

What to see in the surroundings

In the central part of the Weligama Bay, there is a beautiful island called Taprobane or Yakinige-Duwa in Sinhala. At the beginning of the 20th century, a luxurious house was built here by the French Count de Manet, and the writer P. Bowles used it in his novel The House of the Spider. Now this place is a private resort where you can rent a villa.

Unawatuna. The secluded Unawatuna Beach is surrounded by coral reefs on all sides and is only 5 km from Galle. A highway passes through the central part, in contrast to, so it is quite busy here. The popular resort place is popular with tourists and local residents, because here you can not only relax and swim, but also go diving, snorkeling and surfing.

Mirissa (Mirissa). In this small resort village near Weligama, you can spend your vacation economically. In addition to spacious beaches, there are excellent conditions for surfing and snorkeling. Especially tourists who appreciate a relaxing holiday will like it here.

More detailed information with a photo about the resort of Mirissa is presented in.

How to get to Galle

Inside the city, the transport interchange is quite developed and has many branches. With the nearest large and Matara (Matara) the city is connected by railway lines. Galle can be reached by train, bus and taxi, at the station you can always find out where the city of Galle is and how to get to it.

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From Colombo. From the train station to Galle station. Carriages are only 2nd and 3rd class or Rajadhani Express cars, tickets for which can be bought via the Internet. Travel time is 2.5-3 hours.

From Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kandy there is a train to Colombo Fort, then transfer to the Colombo Fort - Galle train. Before your trip, check the current rail timetable and ticket prices at www.railway.gov.lk.

There are many bus services from Colombo bus station to Galle. The highway can be reached in 2-3 hours. If the route runs along the coast, then the road will take about 4 hours. The bus station in Galle is located across the street from the Fort, the main attraction of the city.

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Weather

You can visit this spa center at any time of the year. It's always warm in Galle (Sri Lanka). Summer and winter are characterized by slight temperature fluctuations. There is almost no rain from December to April. Even from May to November, intermittent rains do not interfere with sightseeing.

How Galle looks like from the air and some practical information for those who want to visit the city - in the video.

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We decided to continue our acquaintance with the tourist component of Sri Lanka. For these purposes, the city of Galle, the capital of the southern province of the island, was chosen, which is very conveniently located just a 30-minute bus ride from Hikkaduwa.

The city, and part-time port, Galle has been known since biblical times as a center for the trade in precious stones and a transshipment point for the then financial flows between Arabia and China. Galle owes its modern name to the Portuguese, who traditionally, having lost their course, landed here in 1505. It was the Portuguese who built the first fortifications to protect the city from local residents, but in 1640, after fierce battles, they nevertheless gave the port to the Dutch, and they built the very fort that attracts crowds of tourists here, both from abroad and and from Sri Lanka.

A whole city is located on the modern territory of the fort: temples, residential and administrative buildings, a lighthouse, a prison and much more.

Photo: Wikipedia

The fort is located near the central bus station of Galle, so you won’t have to look for it for a long time, you can get to the territory of the fort directly through the main entrance in the wall:

It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the bus station.

As a guide, you can take the clock tower, from afar it can be seen quite well:

Across the road from the fort is a cricket stadium:

If the ticket office runs out of tickets or their price is too expensive for a simple Sri Lankan (especially when England is playing), then an excellent and absolutely free view of the field opens from the walls of the fort.

The territory of the fort is a favorite meeting place for lovers:

And a recreation area for family groups:

This is not surprising, the surrounding area is incredibly beautiful, and the local atmosphere captivates with its tranquility:

From the fort you can see the ocean:

We continue to walk among the stone walls of the fort:

Only the remaining earthen ramparts remind of the peaks of the former fighting spirit:

The role of the fort in the modern sexual revolution in Sri Lanka deserves special attention.

Not so long ago, it was forbidden in the country to walk alone with a girl down the street, and even more so to touch her with your hands if you are not spouses, at present this rule has been officially canceled, but by inertia such a public manifestation of feelings is still considered unacceptable. Therefore, the fort serves as an excellent place where you can hide from annoying public morality:

The concentration of tenderness and cuteness per square kilometer just rolls over:

We go to inspect the internal structure of the fort:

Pleasant colonial buildings pleases the eye:

Surprisingly, this is exactly what Sri Lankan luxury real estate looks like. Here are the highest prices on the island:

Only wealthy local citizens and Europeans can afford to live in these luxury residential complexes:

Local rich people can enjoy walks in a real park area with a long history:

Elite peace is guarded by police on motorcycles:

And someone is standing on the nix:

The ocean around Galle is very clean, and a large number of reefs in the coastal waters make it also calm, so after a tiring walk you can swim in cool water, although sometimes you have to stand in a short queue.

As we have already said, Galle is very popular with both local and foreign tourists.

In this regard, the imagination of local entrepreneurs does not stand still, but produces original ideas for making money. To start a business, you will need: three local residents, a higher rock and an ocean, as we see zero investment. Next, we collect a few rupees from tourists for watching cliff diving ... PROFIT. True, there is a risk that once a season you will have to repair / change performers.

The bidding for the cost of a jump is usually pretty hectic:

This attraction attracts not only foreign tourists:

If you feel sorry for giving money to look at someone's possible injuries, then this can be done for free:

Meanwhile, the weather began to deteriorate sharply and an impressive black cloud was approaching towards Halle:

We, in principle, do not care what the weather is, as long as the pictures are beautiful:

View from the opposite side:

By the way, at a gas station in Galle, we noticed one interesting detail, in Sri Lanka there are no restrictions on the type of container for fuel:

There are no traffic lights in Galle, as, indeed, throughout Sri Lanka, traffic is regulated by police (the only exception is the capital):

As in any large city, one of the main occupations of the local population is spontaneous trade, meaningless and merciless:

In the city itself, by and large, there is nothing to do, you can buy fish, drink tea, and slowly move to the bus station. :)

And in the next post we will talk about the mysterious and unknown game of cricket, moreover, we will even try to learn its rules and play.

Hello friends. This time we will talk about one of the five sights of Sri Lanka from the UNESCO list. Once King Solomon sent his ships here for gems and ivory. Now here is the largest of the surviving European fortresses in Asia. Intrigued? The subject of our attention will be Galle Fort.

Sri Lanka. The capital of the Southern Province is the city of Galle. City Approximately 2 hours from .

The closest beaches to Galle are Bonavista, Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa.

Story

Riding in the south of the country, it is almost impossible to ignore the city of Galle, located near Colombo.

It is believed that the first foreigners to set foot on the island were the Portuguese. They, having heard the crowing of a rooster here, gave the city such a name. "Halo" is translated from Portuguese as "rooster".

The first fortification, which was supposed to protect the port, they built by the 16th century after the battle with the Kandyans.

But by 1640, the fortress surrendered to the onslaught of the Dutch.

It was the Dutch who built a fort here, which they called Fort Galle (Galle Fort).

A whole city with churches, mosques, a prison, residential and administrative buildings was erected on its territory. Many buildings were naturally given Dutch names.

But the main gates from the north of the fortress, as they have come down to us, were already built by the British by 1873. Although before that, the Portuguese and the Dutch had a hand in their creation. The latter greatly increased this part of the wall, and also divided it into bastions.

Tour of the fort

Well, now it's time to move on to the sightseeing of the fort. The entire fortress occupies the territory of the Old City. It is a mixture of different architectural styles.

• Old Gate

Above them is the emblem of the Dutch company. Here is the National Maritime Museum.

• black fort

Located to the left of the Old Gate. This is the oldest bastion of the fort. It was built by the Portuguese.

• The eastern part of the wall ends at the Utrecht bastion.
• By the beginning of the 20th century, an 18-meter lighthouse was built here.

• Another lighthouse was located on the Triton bastion.
• There is also a windmill there. She served the townspeople for water supply.
• In total, there are 12 bastions on the territory of the fortress.

• Not far from the gates of the fort rises a forty-meter clock tower.

In addition to the National Museum, which we have already mentioned, you can visit a number of others.

• Maritime Archaeological Museum, which has collected many finds from sunken ships.
• Under the roof of one of the private houses is the Dutch Museum.
• And you can learn more about the history of the city in one of the oldest hotels in South Asia - the East Hotel. Maps and graffiti will tell you about the history of Galle.
• Behind the hotel you will see the Great Temple. This is a Dutch building built by 1640. Its floor is lined with tombstones from the old cemetery.

• Opposite the temple is the bell tower of 1701 and the House of the Dutch government.
• The space above the doorway is still decorated with the symbol of the Dutch company - a rooster.
• This house is also famous for the fact that it contains very old stoves and, according to legend, ghosts live.
• Fans of antiques and old household trifles should definitely visit the Historical Museum in the building of the mansion. Here you will learn a lot of new things about the features of Dutch architecture and life.
• Of the religious attractions here, one can single out the Catholic Church of St. Mary, a Buddhist temple, and a white mosque.

In fact, you should not be upset if you do not have time to visit all these museums. Just take a walk around Galle: jewelry workshops, picturesque towers, antique shops and picturesque streets will already give you a lot to understand this unusual place.

Working hours

The fort is open all the time.

What is the price

Entrance to the fort itself is free. But there are different fees for access to individual attractions.

Where to stay in Galle

Now a lot of housing options in Halle appeared on the service Airbnb. We have written how to use this service. If you do not find a free room in the hotel, then look for accommodation through this booking site.

We offer good options for hotels in Galle

How to get there

• There are trains from Colombo, Matara, and buses to the city of Galle.
• To get to the fort, you need to take any bus in the city of Galle with the inscription Galle and get to the final station.

Galle Fort on the map

Address: Lighthouse St, 65a, Fort Galle

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On the second day of our stay in, we decided to go to Galle Fort, or, as the Sri Lankans themselves call it, Goll. There are not many interesting sights in the south of the island, so it is difficult to pass by Galle. Read on to find out what it is and whether it is worth your attention. :)

Among other things, from the article you will learn where the fort is located and how to get to it, what excursions there are in Galle and how much they cost, as well as what to see on its territory. And of course, all this under the sauce of beautiful photos. 🙂

By the way, subscribe on my Instagram. There I quickly post the best photos and stories from my travels. 🙂

The city and fort of Galle on the map of Sri Lanka

Galle is located in the south of Sri Lanka, 116 kilometers from its capital city. If you travel around the south of the island, you will almost certainly pass by the famous fortification complex.

A little about the city and Galle Fort

Galle is first of all a city and a port. As a city, it is the third largest in the country, with about 104 thousand people living in it. In 1663 the Dutch built a granite fort here. Since then, the area has been called Galle Fort. Previously, this area was a large trading center. Merchants from different countries conducted their business here (Persians, Romans, Malays, Hindus, Arabs).

Now the fort is an attractive historical landmark. On its territory there is the National Maritime Museum, the Museum of the Dutch period, the New Oriental Hotel - the former house of officers, the “Great Temple” and the building of the Black Fort, built by the Dutch. All these are remarkable tourist sites.

This is where we can end our brief historical background and begin to figure out how to get to Galle. 🙂

How to get to Galle

Methods vary based on how much you are willing to spend for a given transfer.

• By bus. Traveling with this type of transport on the STL is, in principle, the cheapest way to travel. Therefore, if you are determined to save money, then this is your way. From Hikkaduwa to Galle can be reached by bus number 2. This bus also goes from Mirissa, but in the opposite direction.
• On the tuk tuk. This is the most convenient option if you are staying half an hour to an hour from the fort. It is very easy to catch a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, go to any roadway and in 5 minutes there will be no end to offers. 🙂 You can also order at the hotel reception, but in this case they will probably charge you 30 percent more.
• By taxi. The most expensive option. The easiest way to order is at the hotel desk or by asking any tuk-tuker.
• With a tour. If you don’t want to bother with logistics yourself, then the easiest way is to buy an excursion in Halle with a Russian-speaking guide. A good option is also because as part of the tour you will see other interesting places. Read more about excursions in Galle below.

1. We personally traveled by tuk-tuk, which we found next to and for the trip Hikkaduwa - Galle - Hikkaduwa with the expectation while we walk around the fort, we spent 1500 rupees. Travel time was about half an hour.

Excursions in Halle: where to buy, their cost and content

You can choose one of the many options for excursions in Halle on, the services of which I myself have personally used more than once and generally consider reliable. Below I will tell you about three, in my opinion, the most interesting tours, the program of which includes a visit to the fort.

• . Light tour, not overloaded with unnecessary trips back and forth around the island. Well suited for outings with children, they will surely enjoy a boat ride on the river and a turtle farm where you can cuddle small turtles. 🙂 It is worth such a tour - 71$ per person.
• . As part of this tour, you will not only visit the fort, but also take part in the most popular attraction in Sri Lanka - chasing blue whales and dolphins. Worth such a trip - 100$ per person.
• . A very interesting tour that includes a safari in nat. a park where you can see elephants in their natural habitat, as well as many other animals. Price - $130 per tourist.

What to see in Galle: attractions of the fort

Important! The fort itself is open around the clock 7 days a week, however, individual attractions and museums on its and adjacent territory have their own work schedule.

Having reached the fort, the tuk-tuk parked near its wall and we, first of all, went to inspect the fortifications themselves Galle Dutch Fort, as well as the adjacent clock tower - Galle Fort Clock Tower.

2. The fort looks very authentic and cool, and the clock tower stands right in the middle, between the western and eastern walls of the fort. The only thing that bothered me was the infernal heat. 🙂

3. From the eastern part of the fort, you can see a small bay, as well as a cricket field, which the Sri Lankans like to play, perhaps more than anything else.

4. From the eastern part, there is a view of the ocean ...

5. ... and to Dharmapala Park, which is just behind us in the photo. In this part of the fort there are quite a few people who want to take a photo on the cliff.

6. Next, you should move south along the fortifications, which will lead you to The Flagrock Bastion, which offers a good view of lighthouse Galle Fort Lighthouse, which is also the hallmark of the city.

7. And from this spot, local guys jump into the water for the amusement of the public, which gives them tips.

Other attractions in Galle

In addition to the fort itself, there are other interesting places in the same area that are worth seeing.

9. On your left hand there will be another historical landmark of Galle - a Muslim Meera Mosque Mosque.

10. It was recently restored and it looks very unusual in this environment.

11. And here, in fact, is the lighthouse itself. While we were hanging around next to him, some man came out of him and offered to go upstairs for money. I don’t remember the exact amount, but it was quite high, because of which we were forced to refuse, and the uncle did not go to bargain.

12. Behind the lighthouse there is a city beach where the locals swim mostly. But no one is stopping you from joining them. 🙂

13. We turn left from the lighthouse and move north. I am in front of some local unfinished shacks.

20. A schoolgirl in a snow-white uniform goes to class. 🙂

22. Further, Hospital St smoothly flows into Queens St and here you can turn left into the arch, which refers to National Maritime Museum. The building is so old that everything has sprouted moss on the outside, but the bas-relief still looks very cool.

23. Here, by the way, hangs a detailed map of the surroundings, indicating all the interesting points and attractions of Halle. If you want to take a closer look, click on the link.

24. Well, we got to the ferry pier, but went back through the archway to Queens Street.

25. If you are suddenly wondering what gas stations in Sri Lanka look like.

26. On the left is still the building of the National Maritime Museum.

27. Queens Street ran into Church st and we moved south along it, where a gingerbread shop immediately appeared to our eyes Anglican Church (All Saints Anglican Church)- Very beautiful.

At this point, we got a little tired because of the heat, decided that it was time to round off and moved towards the tuk-tuk. In total, we spent about two hours exploring the fort and surrounding locations. In principle, during this time we managed to almost all the interesting places, moving slowly from one location to another, so plan to visit the Galle Fort for about 2-3 hours. If you want to figure out what the city itself is like, then you will need a little more time.

Galle Fort Review and Review by Travel or Die

A walk through the fort and the colonial part of the city, in general, made a favorable impression on us, despite the hellish heat and the sudden abundance of crowds of local youth. Everything would be fine, but often, at the most picturesque angles, there was almost a line of people who wanted to be captured in the photo. Otherwise, the place is beautiful, worth a look here as part of a trip to the south of the island. Considering that there are really not many really interesting places in the south, Galle definitely begs to be included in the list of must-see places. 🙂

Our assessment of Galle Fort: 7,5/10.

Hotels in Galle, Sri Lanka

Despite the fact that Galle Fort, in general, is not a resort place at all - we categorically do not advise you to go here for a beach holiday, it still makes sense to stay here for a day or two. The town is very nice, there is where to take a walk in the evening, there are enough places for shopping (shopping centers and markets), banks are open if you suddenly need to exchange currency. Personally, we regretted a little that in our crazy schedule of moving around Sri Lanka, we allocated only a few hours for this place.

And if you decide to stay here, then you will have plenty to choose from - within the historical center there are both inexpensive accommodation options (from 2000 rubles for two with breakfast) and chic ones (up to 10000 rubles for two per night). There are not so many budget offers at all as in the resorts of the south coast, but you can find several hostels with prices up to 500 per night per person.

Hotels in Galle at the best prices can be found on Booking.com, but before booking, we advise you to compare housing prices in other booking systems using the free HotelLook service (looks prices on Booking, Agoda, Ostrovka and other popular systems).

Galle Fort pictured

See other photos of the fort in a special photo album.