Galle Fort of Sri Lanka | AmazingLanka.com

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Old entrance of the Galle Fort dated 1668 seen from inside the fort — Old entrance of the Galle Fort dated 1669 seen from inside the fort

Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a stunning blend of European architecture and South Asian traditions. Enclosed by massive stone bastions, its cobblestone streets lead to colonial villas, chic boutiques, and historic churches. Walking the ramparts at sunset offers breathtaking ocean views and a timeless cultural experience.

The historical importance of the Galle Fort is unchallenged. The origins of Galle though lost in antiquity still survive through artefacts which confirm its existence in pre-Christian and Roman eras. Through the medieval ages, the Galle Fort emerged as Ceylon’s major southern international port attracting Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Persian, Roman and Arab traders.

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 crisscrossing in regular patches. Straight and narrow lanes branch in and out inviting the visitor to a delightful walk into the 17th century.

Today’s Peddler Street was called “Moorse Kramerstraat” by the Dutch, Lighthouse Street was “Zeeburgstraat” and “Middelpuntstraat“, Hospital Street as Nieuwe Lijnbaanstraat and Lijnbaanstraat (New Ropewalk Street), Old Ropewalk Street as Oude Lijnbaanstraat (Old Rope-Walk Street), Church Street as Kerkstraat, Parrawa Street as “Parruasstraat” and Chiando Street as “Chiandostraat“.

Through this memory walk, one would however miss the 17th-century familiar vendors who traded in cinnamon, lace, elephants, tortoise and turtle shell ornaments besides the famous down south sweetmeats like “Bondi Aluwa” (බොන්ඩි අලුවා) hanging in garlands from the shoulders of vendors.

In 1505 a group of Portuguese sailors led by Don Lorenzo de Almeida arrived on the island and they built the first fortification in Galle on a cliff, jutting out into the sea. It was called the Swart Bastion or the Black Fort in 1520.

Later it was fortified and enlarged by the Dutch in 1667. 14 bastions have been identified on the fort today.

Map of the Galle Fort drawn in 1635 from the Plantas das fortalezas da India, de Portugal. Tomo II [Manuscrito] (manuscript of Plants of the fortresses of India, of Portugal. Volume II) by António Bocarro, and João Teixeira Albernaz from the digital archives of the National Library of Spain

The map of the Portuguese Fort of Galle from "Plantas das cidades, portos, e fortalezas da conquista da India Oriental" (Plans of the cities, ports, and fortresses of the conquest of East India) by Albernaz, João Teixeira published between 1600-1650 from the digital archives of the National Library of France. — The map of the Portuguese Fort of Galle from “Plantas das cidades, portos, e fortalezas da conquista da India Oriental” (Plans of the cities, ports, and fortresses of the conquest of East India) by Albernaz, João Teixeira published between 1600-1650 from the digital archives of the National Library of France.

Galle Fort drawn in the 17th century - From the national archives of Netherlands — Galle Fort drawn in the 17th century – From the national archives of the Netherlands

This original rare old antique engraved print from: “Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën” (Old and New East Indies) by François Valentyn / Valentijn, published in 1724-1726.
source : lankapura.com — This original rare old antique engraved print from: “Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën” (Old and New East Indies) by François Valentyn / Valentijn, published in 1724-1726. source : lankapura.com

17th Century Map of the fort at Galle 1790 source : lankapura.com

Ancient Map of fort at Galle, Ceylon 1787 source : source : lankapura.com

Sun Bastion

On 4^th August 1667, it was renamed by the Dutch as the Zon (Sun) Bastion. On this occasion, the first canon shots fired as a guard of honour from this bastion were in honour of the fiancé of the Dutch Governor Hester D. Solomin Razikloff Van Govassas.

In 1697 the base of the bastion was further strengthened. By about 1760, there were about 15 canons installed on this bastion.

Moon Bastion

The Portuguese had named this bastion Conceycao, which meant “the pure conception.” The Dutch originally identified it as the Middle Point. In 1667, it was officially named as Maan or the Moon Bastion.

By 1760, there were 19 canons installed on this bastion. The main entrance to the fort lies between the Sun Bastion and the Moon Bastion. This entrance was made by the British by carving out the rampart.

Star Bastion

This bastion was named by the Portuguese as Sao Antonio (St. Anthony’s). The Dutch first named it the Zee Punt (Sea Bastion). In 1667, it was officially named by them as the Ster (Star) Bastion.

After it was renamed, the first canon shot was fired by the daughter of the then Dutch Commander of Galle, Adrian Ruthas. There were about 6 canons installed on this bastion.

Aeolus Bastion

To defend the western approaches to Galle Fort, the Dutch built a long rampart wall linked by four gun platform bastions between the Zon (Sun) Bastion in the northwest corner of the fort and Flag Rock in the southwest corner. All these bastions are open to the public and are ideal locations for enjoying the sunset over the sea.

Aeolus means the sea breeze. It is believed that it was so named because the Dutch Naval Commander’s official residence was located here and due to the importance of wind for ships.

Clippenburg Bastion

The Clippenburg Bastion is situated on the southwestern edge of the Galle Fort ramparts. Its name is derived from the Dutch words “Klip” (rock) and “Burg” (fortress or village), likely referring to the rocky shoreline it overlooks.

During the Dutch period, this bastion played a vital role in defending the fort from naval attacks approaching from the west. Historical records indicate that by 1760, there were approximately 7 canons installed on this platform to cover the sea approaches.

Neptune Bastion

This is a minor bastion on the western ramparts of the fort. During the Dutch period, it had been named Neptunus’s Bastion. In British period maps, it is marked as Neptune Bastion.

This bastion was occupied by a flagstaff and a signalling station during World War II.

Triton Bastion

Another minor bastion is seen on the exploratory map of Galle Fort which was drawn by chief engineer Reimer in 1790. It is recorded that there was a windmill erected here to draw water which filled tanks with seawater to supply carts which went through the roads of the fort spraying seawater to keep the town dust-free and cool.

This location is known as the Triton Bastion. The practice of using seawater for dust control was a common early urban management technique in colonial maritime forts.

Flagrock Bastion

This bastion lies at the southernmost end of the fort and has also been known as Visser’s Hoek and Vlaggeklip Bastion in the past. According to J.W. Heydt, the Dutch flag had been hoisted here by 1733.

In James Cordiner’s book Description of Ceylon, it is stated that in 1796 the British flag was hoisted here.

In 1848 the first lighthouse in the island of Sri Lanka had been constructed here. The light had been powered by kerosene oil and gas. It had been destroyed by fire around 1930.

Today this is one of the most popular places for tourists to catch the sun sinking beneath the sea over the horizon and during the daytime, you can find a group of local daredevil cliff-divers jumping off the bastion into the rocky waters below for the entertainment of the tourists.

Point Utrecht Bastion

It has been named after the hometown of the first clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church who arrived in Galle in 1641, namely, the Rev. Anhenrio Husaivers. By 1760, it had 6 canons installed. This location is known as the Utrecht Bastion.

After the first lighthouse on the Flag Rock Bastion was destroyed by fire, the new lighthouse which is 92 feet high was erected here in 1939.

Bunkers had been built around the lighthouse during the Second World War. They were removed some time ago. Near the lighthouse, there is a flight of steps leading to the beach where there is a bathing spot. During the British period, it was used as the Ladies’ Bathing Place.

There is a gunpowder magazine close to this bastion which bears a Dutch inscription from 1782, facing the road.

Aurora Bastion

This bastion is named after the Roman God Aurora. It is believed that it was so named because it is the point in Galle Fort from which one could get the best view of sunrise.

By 1760, 6 canons had been installed here. This bastion is strategically located to overlook the entrance to the inner harbor, providing a clear line of sight for maritime defense.

Akersloot Bastion

This bastion has been named after the hometown of Commander Wilhelm Jacobs Coster who led the Dutch conquest of Galle Fort. This is located next to the old Dutch hospital building. It is said that it was once used during the Dutch period for postmortem examinations. It has the inscription “Akersloot 1759” although in fact it was erected earlier.

It is an excellent vantage point for the observation of the Galle harbour and bay. From the British period onwards, it has been used as the official residence of the Harbour Master. It is believed that there were 7 canons installed here to protect the bay from invading vessels.

Another interesting feature of this bastion is the old breadfruit (Artocarpus incisisus) tree found here which is believed to be the first breadfruit tree planted by the Dutch on the island of Sri Lanka.

Zwart Bastion (Black Fort)

The Black Fort of Galle, Sri Lanka also called Santa Cruz or Zwart Fort (Zwart Bastian)

This is believed to be the original fort of the Portuguese, thus the oldest section of the fort. This has been restored and is open to the public. This section is commonly known as the Black Fort (Swarte Bastion).

While much of the surrounding ramparts were significantly expanded during the Dutch and British periods, the Black Fort retains the rugged, darker masonry characteristic of the earlier 16th-century fortification. Its position was strategic, jutting out to provide a clear defensive view of the harbor entrance.

See here for details of the Black Fort.

Commandment Bastion

This is marked in Reimer’s map of Galle Fort (1790). It is believed that was named due to its proximity to the Dutch Commander’s official residence

Fishmark Bastion

This is marked in Reimer’s map of Galle Fort (1790). It is believed that was named due to its proximity to the Dutch Commander’s official residence.

Monuments inside Galle Fort

Ancient monuments within this historical complex included the Lighthouse, the clock tower, the first Dutch Reformed and Anglican churches, the Meera Mosque, the Buddhist Temple, and the Commander’s Residence. Worthy of mention is the Dutch Reformed Church with its baroque facade and the usual double scroll mouldings on its gables which testify to indigenous influence.

The military architecture of the Fort is European in design. The unique Galle Fort is still the best-preserved fortified city in South Asia.

The fortification of the Galle Fort as a seat of administration was seen during the Portuguese, Dutch and British periods. The neglect of the Fort began after 1948 with vandalism being prevalent.

After government withdrew restrictions on land ownership by non-citizens a large number of heritage buildings within the Galle Fort were grabbed by foreigners and have been converted into eateries, pubs and hotels. Some have blamed these overseas owners for carrying out changes to buildings within this world heritage city violating provisions of the Antiquities Act and of bribery to government officials to look away.

The wall of the Galle Fort on the North Eastern side seen from outside.

Buildings along the old entrance of the Galle Fort

The Dutch VOC insignia at the top of the old entrance of the Galle Fort dated 1668 seen from inside the fort

Old entrance of the Galle Fort dated 1668 seen from outside the fort

Coat of Arms of Great Britain above the Dutch VOC insignia at the top of the old entrance of the Galle Fort dated 1668 seen from outside the fort

Massive gates of the Old entrance of the Galle Fort dated 1668

The Ambalama at the Galle Fort Courthouse Square

Also See

Map of Galle Fort

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Driving Directions to Galle Fort

Traveling from Colombo to Galle takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours when using the Southern Expressway, offering the fastest and most efficient route.

For a more scenic journey, the coastal A2 road can be taken. This route runs along the shoreline and provides picturesque ocean views, though the trip typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours due to traffic and road conditions.

The ideal time to explore the Galle Fort is in the evening, when the heat subsides and the surroundings take on a more relaxed and atmospheric character, especially around sunset.

Route from Colombo to Fort of Galle

Distance :130 km
Travel time : 2.1 hours
Driving directions : see on google map