• Latest
The City in the South, Where East met West

The City in the South, Where East met West

December 2, 2022
Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

January 11, 2023
Rumination and Emotional Process

Rumination and Emotional Process

January 13, 2023
Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

January 11, 2023
Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

January 11, 2023
Exclusive Screening of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ on its Global Premiere at KCC Multiplex

Exclusive Screening of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ on its Global Premiere at KCC Multiplex

January 11, 2023
Humble Journey of Podi Hamuduruwo

Humble Journey of Podi Hamuduruwo

December 1, 2022
KCC: Kandy’s Marvel

KCC: Kandy’s Marvel

December 1, 2022
Sweet Dreams and Serene Night

Sweet Dreams and Serene Night

December 1, 2022
Lashings of Nelli Juice: Jaffna’s Inimitable Nectar of Life

Lashings of Nelli Juice: Jaffna’s Inimitable Nectar of Life

December 1, 2022
Sustainable Island Tourism from Tenerife to Just to the Maldives

Sustainable Island Tourism from Tenerife to Just to the Maldives

November 8, 2022
Kumaradas Maapaana Mudaliyar: The 10th Custodian of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil

Kumaradas Maapaana Mudaliyar: The 10th Custodian of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil

November 8, 2022
50 Hudson Yards Opens in New York

50 Hudson Yards Opens in New York

November 8, 2022
Retail
Monday, February 6, 2023
Subscription
Advertise
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 2022
      • January 2022
      • February 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • June 2022
      • July 2022
      • August 2022
      • September 2022
      • October 2022
      • November 2022
      • December 2022
      • January 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

The City in the South, Where East met West

in Featured, May 2016
0 0
0
The imposing ramparts of the Galle Fort meet the glittering waters of the Indian Ocean

Holding its heritage dear, yet open to change, bustling one moment, but calm the next; there’s nowhere quite like Galle.

Words and Photographs Shyam Ranasinghe

Officially the capital of the Southern Province, Galle is home to a population of around 100,000. Easily reached via the A2 Highway, the Southern Expressway or the coastal rail line, Galle is indeed a place worth a stop. A quick zap through the streets and you’ll discover a city rich in history, potential and natural beauty.

It’s said that Galle was the first landing point of the Portuguese, our first colonial masters, in the 16th century. A fleet of ships giving chase to Arabian merchants in a maritime trade war was caught in a storm and drifted to Galle. Having regained strength, Lourenço de Almeida, the leader of the expedition, set sail again to meet the king whose court was in Kotte, in present day Colombo. This voyage occupies an important place in Sri Lankan history thanks to the location where they docked – apparently believing it was directly facing Galle, they dubbed it ‘Galle Face’ and the name has held to this day. Today Galle Face is one of Colombo’s most popular recreational sites.

Realising the value of Galle, the Portuguese wasted no time in constructing a fort to dominate the seas and protect their shipping routes. When the Dutch took over rule of the Island in the 17th century they enlarged it greatly with three bastions for artillery. The British thought that the Dutch construction was good enough as it was and the fort was left unscathed. True to the legacy of Dutch construction, the fort still stands strong, nearly five centuries on, and is one of the city’s most prominent attractions.

The unique neighbourhood within the walls of the fort is a picture postcard of the Dutch era, Its 17th-century architecture having been preserved

The unique neighbourhood within the walls of the fort is a picture postcard of the Dutch era. Its 17th-century architecture has been preserved, winning the place UNESCO world heritage status. A key attraction is the Dutch Reformed Church, home to some unusual features including a special platform away from the altar for delivering sermons, an original pipe organ dating back to the 1760s and a floor paved with numerous gravestones of the Dutch era. Even the street names and taverns of the fort convey the flavour of bygone days – visiting today feels like travelling back in time.

Across the road from the fort lies the Galle Esplanade. A number of informal football and cricket fields attest to the city’s passion for sport, but the pièce de résistance is obviously the Galle International Stadium, considered to be one of the most picturesque cricketing venues in the world. It’s also thought to be a very lucky venue for the Sri Lankan cricket team. Whenever an international cricketing series is held in Sri Lanka, Galle is sure to be at the heart of the action.

No visit to Galle would be complete without a hop down to Unawatuna, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous beaches

The calm, salubrious ambiance of the fort and stadium is nowhere to be found once you’ve crossed the main street where the city’s central transport hub is located. Galle Railway Station links Sri Lanka’s south to its capital, while the Central Bus Station provides connections across the busy city. The statue of Lord Buddha gazing down from the other side of the road offers the same reassuring presence it did when the tsunami devastated the city in 2004. This statue was among the very few objects that suffered almost no damage that tragic day. No visit to Galle would be complete without a hop down to Unawatuna, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous beaches. The colourful Bona Vista coral reef and friendly surf serve as magnets for both locals and overseas visitors, while the large number of tourism-related establishments cater to the growing demand.

Dominating Unawatuna’s skyline Rumassala, a high ground with an exclusive history. Legends date it to the time of The Ramayana. With its own unique biodiversity, Rumassala is a botanist’s paradise.

Galle is truly a treasure trove. It vibes with modernity yet maintains its age-old flavour. The simplicity of life there mingles very well with its rich history, new technology and modern society. That is what makes Galle rise above the rest.

Tags: Bygone
TweetShareShare

Search

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Rumination and Emotional Process

Rumination and Emotional Process

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka Online, the web edition of Sri Lanka’s leading monthly corporate publication. Founded in 1996, the magazine currently has a distribution of over 6,000 copies island-wide.

Recent News

  • Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling
  • Rumination and Emotional Process
  • Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Find Us

Explore Sri Lanka
20-2/1 Lauries Place Facing
R. A. De Mel Mawatha
Colombo 04
Sri Lanka.
(+94 11) 259 7991
(+94) 715 134 134
info@btoptions.com
btoptions.com

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 2022
      • January 2022
      • February 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • June 2022
      • July 2022
      • August 2022
      • September 2022
      • October 2022
      • November 2022
      • December 2022
      • January 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In