Galle Sri Lanka is known for its romantic, old world atmosphere within the famous Dutch fort. Galle city in Sri Lanka has a reputation of being Sri Lanka’s historically most interesting city. Ever since the arrival of a Portuguese fleet in 1505 the city has acquired limelight. The city’s name is derived from the Sinhala word “gala” meaning rock. The city’s harbor is full of rocks, many below the water. Just before the completion of the construction of breakwaters at the Colombo airport, Galle Sri Lanka was the island’s major port.
As the capital of the southern province, Galle city in Sri Lanka has a colorful history. It is a fortified city which showcases a blend of European architectural styles and South East Asia. The most famous attraction from a tourists view is the “Galle Fort” which has been attributed as a world heritage site. One can feel the 300 year Dutch atmosphere still very much alive around the fort. Quite a few historical buildings have been taken over by skyscrapers. Then there is the beautiful Unawatuna beach just about 6 km South East of the city centre frequented by the tourists. The beach is especially alive between October and April.
Galle city in Sri Lanka suffered a major setback when it was devastated in the 2004 massive Boxing Day Tsunami caused by the Indian Ocean. A few other important landmarks of the city include the St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests and the Galle International Stadium, the international test match cricket ground. |
