Sri Lanka’s spice heritage comes alive in Matale with the launch of Spice Ceylon by Thema Collection, an immersive experience blending history, storytelling, and authentic cuisine.
Spice Ceylon, a thoughtfully curated spice heritage experience conceptualized by Thema Collection, officially opens to visitors, offering an immersive journey into Sri Lanka’s rich spice legacy, agricultural traditions, and cultural storytelling.
Drawing on Thema Collection’s extensive experience in heritage-led hospitality and destination storytelling, Spice Ceylon has been designed to deliver a well-curated and professionally managed visitor experience that connects history, nature, and gastronomy in a meaningful way.
At the heart of the experience is the Spice Heritage Museum, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, dedicated entirely to the island’s spice history and its role in global trade.
“At Thema Collection, we continuously strive to introduce new and meaningful concepts to Sri Lanka’s tourism landscape. Spice Ceylon is something truly different, an experience where guests can explore the history of Sri Lanka’s spices through our dedicated museum, enjoy immersive guided tours, and conclude their journey with an authentic lunch inspired by Kandyan royal recipes,” said Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman, Thema Collection.
At the heart of the experience is the Spice Heritage Museum, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, dedicated entirely to the island’s spice history and its role in global trade. The museum traces Sri Lanka’s centuries-old journey through spices, highlighting how cinnamon, pepper, and cloves have shaped the country’s cultural identity and international relations.
Visitors explore spice gardens and nature trails with knowledgeable agricultural interpreters, gaining insights into traditional cultivation and sustainability. The experience is further enriched with a curated lunch at a historic Walauwa, featuring authentic Sri Lankan cuisine inspired by Kandyan royal recipes, offering guests a rare opportunity to connect culinary heritage with place and history.
Conveniently located in Matale along the Dambulla–Kandy road, in close proximity to the historic Aluvihare Rock Temple, Spice Ceylon is thoughtfully designed as a practical, time-efficient stop that seamlessly complements cultural and heritage-focused itineraries. By bringing together spice cultivation, immersive storytelling, and authentic Kandyan-inspired cuisine in a carefully curated setting, Spice Ceylon redefines how Sri Lanka’s spice heritage is experienced.
The initiative reflects Thema Collection’s commitment to creating meaningful visitor experiences that celebrate the island’s history, culture, and living traditions, while setting a new standard for heritage-driven tourism in Sri Lanka.
Spice Ceylon
47 A Sir Richard Aluwihare Mawatha, Matale;
+94 77 291 8697
