Old town of Galle and its fortifications, World heritage site

Old town of Galle and its fortifications, World heritage site

The World Heritage Site of the “old town of Galle and its fortifications” is a marvellous place to explore. Whether you are a history and archaeology lover or fun holiday seeker the archaeological remaining and villas, antique shops, cafes, and restaurants inside the Galle fort with its ancient glory will delight you. The combination of European architecture with local construction traditions has best displayed in Galle fort. The fort has two huge portcullis main gates. The gate from the land side has inscribed the image of the Dutch Coat of Arms with the year “ANNO MDCLXIX”. The fort and the surrounding area has many historical monuments to explore.

They are:

  • Dutch Reformed Church is also known as “Groote Kerk”, built-in 1640, and its belfry built in 1707 and antiques inside the church.
  • New Orient Hotel exclusive use of the Dutch Governor and his staff in 17 the century converted to a luxury hotel in 1865
  • Dutch Government House
  • Dutch Commander Residence
  • The Warehouse built in the 17th century to store spices and ship equipment that converted to the National Maritime Museum at present
  • The Old Dutch Hospital
  • All Saints Anglican church built in 1871
  • Clock Tower built in 1882 The Buddhist temple which was once the site of the Portuguese Roman Catholic church
  • Galle Lighthouse
  • Breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis) planted by the Dutch


If you are walking along the ramparts of the fort in the evening before the sunset, at the Flag Rock Bastion in the southernmost end, you will be witnessing the beautiful sunset you will ever witness.

The World Heritage Site of the “old town of Galle and its fortifications” is a marvellous place to explore. Whether you are a history and archaeology lover or fun holiday seeker the archaeological remaining and villas, antique shops, cafes, and restaurants inside the Galle fort with its ancient glory will delight you. The combination of European architecture with local construction traditions has best displayed in Galle fort. The fort has two huge portcullis main gates. The gate from the land side has inscribed the image of the Dutch Coat of Arms with the year “ANNO MDCLXIX”. The fort and the surrounding area has many historical monuments to explore.

They are:

  • Dutch Reformed Church is also known as “Groote Kerk”, built-in 1640, and its belfry built in 1707 and antiques inside the church.
  • New Orient Hotel exclusive use of the Dutch Governor and his staff in 17 the century converted to a luxury hotel in 1865
  • Dutch Government House
  • Dutch Commander Residence
  • The Warehouse built in the 17th century to store spices and ship equipment that converted to the National Maritime Museum at present
  • The Old Dutch Hospital
  • All Saints Anglican church built in 1871
  • Clock Tower built in 1882 The Buddhist temple which was once the site of the Portuguese Roman Catholic church
  • Galle Lighthouse
  • Breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis) planted by the Dutch


If you are walking along the ramparts of the fort in the evening before the sunset, at the Flag Rock Bastion in the southernmost end, you will be witnessing the beautiful sunset you will ever witness.