It is no surprise that Sri Lanka, being a tiny island in the Indian Ocean, has a museum that is specifically dedicated to the sea. The National Maritime Museum in Galle, established in 1992, is located near the Old Gate of the famous Dutch Fort. Housed within the Dutch-built warehouse constructed in 1671, the Maritime Museum is a great place to visit if you are intrigued by the island’s maritime trade history and ocean life. For anyone staying at a hotel in Galle Sri Lanka during their holiday, the Maritime Museum is definitely worth a visit. The likes of Mosvold Hotels provide easy access to the fascinating museum and a unique opportunity to discover Sri Lanka’s riveting maritime history.
The Maritime Museum is home to many interesting exhibits that depict the rich aquatic life discovered along the coastline. These include fiberglass models of whales and sharks and exhibits that feature various species of fish and colourful corals. Among the most interesting of these exhibits is the skeleton of a Green Turtle. There are several stuffed sea birds including the Eastern Rosette Tern and the South Polar Skua.
The city of Galle was used as a maritime port and a fort. This led to the discovery of many shipwrecks on the seabed along the city’s beautiful coastline. Throughout the years, several sunken treasures were salvaged and turned into popular exhibits in the National Maritime Museum. One of the most prominent artifacts in the establishment is the wheel of the Sri Lanka Navy Vijaya, the first warship in Sri Lanka.
In addition to the fascinating nautical history and sea life, the National Maritime Museum is also home to some truly interesting exhibits that depict Sri Lanka’s fishing industry. The large diorama that depicts a beach scene in which local fishermen haul a seine net (locally known as ‘ma del’) out of the sea. Another interesting exhibit is the outrigger canoe, also known as ‘oruva’ which is commonly used by local fishermen. The Museum is also home to a model of a Dutch Staaten Jacht which used to be an important vessel type during the time in which the maritime provinces of the island were under the rule of the Dutch East India Company.
Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+
