Situated in Sri Lanka’s North-East Province, the historic port city of Trincomalee is a must-visit destination. Rendered largely inaccessible during Sri Lanka’s thirty year civil war which ended in 2009, Trincomalee has rapidly risen to the ranks of being named one of Sri Lanka’s most popular travel destinations and strongly recommended by Cvisit.
Situated along Sri Lanka’s picturesque north-eastern coast, Trincomalee is a 260 kilometre drive from Colombo. Renown for picture-perfect white sands and turquoise sea, the breathtaking Trincomalee Bay is the fifth largest natural harbour in the world. Home to some of the finest beachside Hotels in Sri Lanka, the calm waters of Marble and Nilaveli beaches and Pigeon Island is abundant with marine life and is ideal for snorkelling while boat excursions carry visitors to the depths of the surrounding sea that is renowned for whale and dolphin sightings.
Tour the colourful Hindu kovils of Trincolmalee and admire the ornate striking blue walls of Lakshmi Narayana Peruman Kovil and stop at the sacred Koneswaran Temple, nicknamed Temple of Thousand Pillars dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated inside the partially dilapidated walls of Fort Frederick atop Swami Rock, Koneswaran Temple was destroyed by the Portugese who used its rubble to build the 17th century Fortress. Today, the rebuilt temple proudly displays its Chola influence and overlooks the infamous Lovers Leap which dangerously dips 350-feet into the sea.
Bathe in the famous seven Kanniya Hot Water Wells which are believed to have healing properties before visiting sacred Buddhist shrines that include Somawathie Temple and Girihadu Seya and pay homage to Lord Buddha’s relics housed inside Seruwawila Stupa. Before leaving Trincomalee, take a tour of the Sri Lankan Naval Base and admire the old military artefacts displayed at Hoods Tower Museum and pay your respect to the fallen WW2 heroes at one of six Commonwealth War Cemeteries found in Sri Lanka. While in Trincomalee don’t miss the opportunity to drive over the longest bridge in Sri Lanka, the famous Kinniya Bridge that connects Trincomalee to the neighbouring Kinniya town.
Intrigued by history, art and food, Shazzana Hamid is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary. Disguised as Lavinia Woolf she writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.
