Thank you for visiting my site.
You are here: Home / Destinations / GALLE FORT
Galle serves as the capital of the southern province. The town is best known for its remarkable 90-acre Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved colonial sea fortress in Asia. This historic gem was originally constructed by the Portuguese in 1588 and later extensively fortified by the Dutch in the mid-1600s.
Recognized by UNESCO for its cultural heritage value, the Galle Fort was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988. It stands as a unique showcase of "an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries." As you walk along its narrow streets today, you'll discover well-preserved evidence of Dutch influence, with some notable differences from four centuries ago.
Galle's history traces back to ancient times, with records of it being a bustling port on Ptolemy's world map dating from 125–150 AD. The town was a hub of trade, connecting Sri Lanka with distant lands, including Greece, Arab countries, China, and others. Its significance as a "port of call of the Levant" is noted in the cosmography of "Cosmas Indicopleustes."
Galle's historical narrative also intertwines with notable moments, including the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505, marking a significant change in the island's history. The Portuguese built the first fort here, along with a Franciscan chapel in 1541, although much of the chapel lies in ruins today. The fort later served as a prison camp for Sinhalese natives who opposed Portuguese rule.
In 1640, the Dutch entered the scene, allying with King Rajasinghe II to capture the Galle Fort from the Portuguese. The Dutch influence is vividly seen in the present-day Dutch architectural style of the fort.
The fortifications and structures continued to evolve over the centuries, with public administration buildings, warehouses, residential quarters, and even a Protestant church being added. The fort played a pivotal role in trade and defense, housing workshops for various crafts and an intricate sewer system that took sewage out to sea.
In 1796, the British took control of the fort, one week after capturing Colombo. Sri Lanka remained a British colony until it gained independence in 1948. In 1865, a part of the fort was transformed into the New Oriental Hotel, later becoming the Amangalla in 2005. As Colombo became the capital and primary port in the mid-19th century, the importance of Galle gradually diminished.
Today, Galle Fort stands as a testament to the island's intricate history, architectural marvels, and the interplay of cultures across the centuries. It's a living legacy that beckons travelers to explore its well-preserved streets and immerse themselves in its remarkable heritage
"We are glad to meet Cyril. He is very kind and patient, very professional in his work. He have lot of knowledge about history of the places and the things that happened in Sri Lanka. He knows all the roads and places very well. Very friendly and stand on time. The tour he recommended us and places were excellent. He replied immediately for mails which we send. He was flexible when we asked him to stop in different places and to change our program. He speaks very good English and explanations..." Ruty Ben Haim from Isarel
"Dear Cyril, We just got back to Singapore today...I am will be back to work tomorrow.. :) Sad but true ha ha……. We were very lucky to have you as our guide. I don’t think there will be anyone else who could have done an excellent job that you have done. We will spread the word around and will surely sell your services...do keep in touch so we can work something out. Thanks for the photos they are great Will visit your website soon and put in some good words for you.. Ti..." Shuhanth Haridas from Singapore
" Dear Cyril, We are fortunate to have you as a friend here in Sri Lanka. You are extremly Knowledgeable and more than ever - having an attitude of helpful nature and the willingness to solve issues on hand whilst on our tour around Sri Lanka. As I have said to you we will reccommend you to all our friends who wish to tour in Sri Lanka. My family Karen, Kalvin and Andre also liked your company and wish you and your family well. God bless you all and we will keep in touch, for sur..." Alwyn Santhumayor & family
"Thanks a lot for making great arrangements for the visit. The visit was very well organized with good hotels and the vehicle/ driver. I would highly recommend your agency and its services to everyone who wants to visit Sri Lanka. Anastasia - Russia, Feb 2011 " Anastasia
"We had a trip planned with Cyril just when international travel closed down due to Covid. Cyril was great in planning a trip with me that had a great deal of flexibility and tailored to visit the places we wanted to seeUnfortunately we were unable to take the trip. Cyril's response to that was great, he dealt with everything for us in terms of cancellationsHe has kept in touch with us since then and has already contacted me with a revised plan for our trip to Sri Lanka. Which we will book with h..." Brian O: Keefe - Perth - Australia
"Dear Cyril, Sincerest apologies for this delayed email --- reason being that I had been extremely busy with work & travel, since returning from Sri Lanka and just got a breather now, to download our photos and catch up with private matters. Hope this email finds you & family, in the best of health & spirits. Your granddaughter must be keeping you busy and giving you & Mrs. Baddegama immense joy. At this end, we are doing fine. Nikhita is back at school, now in Grade 7 and havi..." Pradeep Kumar Menon - Singapore
"11th April 2014 01 week tour around Sri Lanka A fantastic week was had by all with Cyril, exploring Kandy, Nuwaraeliya and Bentota. Your meaningful insights & excellent explanations of the Sri Lanka’s culture, nature and traditions were invaluable. Your smile and charm helped is feel related and comfortable. Not getting stressed once. With your guidance & tips, the holiday flew by with only one problem: it was very short! Your comprehensive list of talents ranges from findin..." Ian Price and family from UK
"If you ever plan to visit Sri Lanka (and I think you should) this is your guide!!! Martha Iordanidou - Thesoloneki - Greece " Martha Iordanidou
"2nd to 15th November 2016 Dear Cyril, Thank you for arranging our first visit to your beautiful country. We had a very enjoyable, comfortable, safe, interesting and memorable holiday. All the accommodations you provided were very clean and comfortable and we will always remember the welcome, we felt when the smiling staff cheerfully looked after us and our every need. The itinerary you arranged was just right for us and made even better with the care you took whilst driving your very c..." Satwant and Doug from Australia
"We had a fantastic holiday in Sri Lanka, thanks Cyril Tours, Our driver, Amiila, was brilliant and nothing was too much trouble for him. The places we visited were really interesting and we saw some lovely scenery.I would definitely recommend your company to other people. Emma - UK 2010 December " Emma Patterson
