The Galle Dutch Fort is a rare historical jewel protected by dark, thick stone walls - with the endless ocean on one side. The roads inside the Galle Fort have hardly changed, like the squares on a chess board cris-crossing in regular patches. Straight and narrow lanes branch in and out inviting the visitor to a delightful walk into the 17th century. Built by the Portuguese in 1620, the Galle Fort was fortified by the Dutch in 1667. The historical walk would also revive memories of places within the Fort.

Through medieval ages, the Galle Fort emerged as Ceylon's major southern international port attracting Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Persian, Roman and Arab traders. The fortification of the Galle Fort as a seat of administration was seen during the Portuguese, Dutch and British periods.

Considering its importance as an outstanding architectural and archaeological monument in Asia during the colonial period and to prevent its further degradation the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the International Committee on Monuments and Sites (COSMOS) registered Galle Fort as a World Heritage Site.

Galle Fort Related references