Colombo Port Maritime Museum (කොළඹ වරාය සමුද්‍ර කෞතුකාගාරය)

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The Dutch Warehouse converted to the Maritime Museum

The Colombo Port Maritime Museum, opened in 2003, is located within a sturdy Dutch warehouse dating back to 1676. This double-barrel-roofed structure was originally part of the Dutch Fort of Colombo and today stands as a rare surviving example of Dutch maritime architecture.

The Colombo Port Maritime Museum is a hidden gem in the heart of Colombo, often overlooked by tourists. Located at Gate No. 1 of the Colombo Port, it is housed in one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city.

The Historic Building

This historic structure is a solid, double-barrel roofed Pakhuizen—a Dutch warehouse built in 1676, as indicated by the year inscribed above its eastern entrance. While most old port buildings were demolished in 1951 to make way for new constructions, this warehouse was among the few that survived. (Briggs, 2023)

The warehouse was an integral part of the original Colomo Dutch Fort. Its front section was linked to the gun batteries, while the rear side connected directly to the jetty.

Unusually for Dutch warehouses, this structure features brick-built barrel vaults, likely designed for storing perishable goods. Unlike tiled-roof constructions, this design helps keep the interior significantly cooler. (R. K. De Silva & Beumer, 1988, p. 473). However, some historical records suggest that the building may have functioned as a Dutch prison rather than a warehouse.

The Museum

The structure was restored and converted into a museum, officially opened in August 2003. The museum showcases detailed ship replicas depicting significant maritime events in Sri Lanka’s history, from Prince Vijaya’s arrival in 543 BCE to the arrival of British forces in Colombo. Other notable exhibits include replicas illustrating the arrival of Sangamitta Thero with the Sri Maha Bodhi sapling in 306 BCE, the arrival of Ibn Battuta in 1344, as well as the Portuguese and Dutch landings in Colombo.

One of the museum’s most intriguing artifacts is a collection of cushioned carriers with ropes, which were used to hoist captured elephants onto ships for export.

Colombo Port Maritime Museum—Opening Hours

Description	Details
Open Days	Monday – Saturday (Closed on Sundays)
Monday – Sunday	9.00 AM – 4.00 PM

Colombo Port Maritime Museum—Ticket Prices / Entrance Fees

The museum is operated and maintained by the Ports Authority of Sri Lanka. Entry to the Colombo Port Maritime Museum is free of charge. Visitors can reach the museum by traveling to the end of Chithya Road, which runs along the shoreline.

Description (an 18% VAT will be added to the ticket price)	Price per Head
All Visitors	Free of Charge

At the entrance of the Dutch Warehouse converted to the Maritime Museum

Replica of a ship used by the Dutch to attack Portuguese at The Dutch Warehouse converted to the Maritime Museum

Replica of a ship used by Ibn Battuta at the Dutch Warehouse converted to the Maritime Museum

Padded carriers used to hoist elephants on the ships at the Dutch Warehouse converted to the Maritime Museum

Items on Display at the Dutch Warehouse converted to the Maritime Museum

References

De Silva, R. K., & Beumer, W. G. M. (1988). Illustrations and views of Dutch Ceylon 1602-1796. Serendib Publications.
Mendis, C. (2017). The Fortress of Colombo: from the Portuguese and Dutch to the British. FORT, the International Journal of Fortifications and Military Architecture, 45, 56–69.
Briggs, P. (2023). Sri Lanka. Bradt Travel Guides Limited.

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Distance from Fort Railway Station to Colombo Port Maritime Museum

Distance: 2.2 km
Travel time : 10 min
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