World heritage listed Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
Built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. -UNESCO-
The port town of Galle is Sri Lanka’s fourth biggest town with 80,000 people. The history of Galle dates back to 1505 when a Portuguese fleet bound for Maldives was blown off course and took shelter in the Galle Harbour. This arrival drastically changed the course of Sri Lankan history. In 1598, the Portuguese built a small fort which was later extended. However, when the Dutch took over in 1640, they destroyed all traces of the Portuguese presence. In 1663, the Dutch built the 36-hectare Fort, which is now a World Heritage Site. -info.lk-
Image submitted by Niranjan Karunathilake