Situated in the southern coast of the beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka is the coastal town of Galle. One of the most frequented locales in the island for her coastal scenery, Galle is also a town that is steeped in history. At the heart of Galle’s of historical heritage is the Galle fort, which is more than 400 years old and still remains as polished and crisp as Galle’s recent establishments such as the Amba Ayurvedha Boutique Hotel, one of the more popular Sri Lanka Ayurveda hotel options around. The Galle Fort is one of Sri Lanka’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is definitely deserving of that title since there is a magnitude of history to be experienced from a single visit. The history of Galle’s reputation as a trading hub goes as far back as 125 AD, where it was mentioned by the legendary Ptolemy. Even the great Arab explorer Ibn Battuta had ventured into Galle. The fort itself was initially constructed by the Portuguese but was later extensively developed by the Dutch following their colonisation.
Currently the Fort is quite expansive and there are many things to be found within it. Perhaps the most notable attraction the fort holds is the Groote Kerk, also known as The Dutch Reformed Church. It was built in the mid-1700s and is one of the oldest Protestant churches in the country, and what’s most note-worthy is that it is still in operation today.
Although it still operates as a hotel under a different name, the New Orient Hotel was originally built in the late 1600s to exclusively be used by the Dutch Governor and his workforce. Once it transitioned into a hotel during the mid-1800s it became a bustling hotspot for European travellers.
Be sure to catch the incredible sights within the Galle Fort if you find yourself in Sri Lanka.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
