Galle - The Southern Capital.
Today, Galle is the bustling provincial capital and administrative centre of the south. Galle was an ancient port (said to be the legendary Tarshish of the Bible), and our first international commerce and trade center. The National Museum of Galle occupies the oldest extent building built by the Dutch in the 17th century. Its main attraction is the Fort that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Galle is the excellent sea bathing spot.
It is famous for its lovely Unawatuna Bay, where the sea is reef protected and therefore safe for swimming and snorkeling. The Fort is the heart of Galle's history.
The old Dutch 'Star' fort covering 36 hectares, the well-preserved Groote Kerk (Dutch Church), Dutch Government House, the New Oriental Hotel (built in 1684) old bell tower and a tide-based Sewage-System, also introduced by the Dutch. In Gale they still make the Dutch 'pillo-lace' and do fine ebony-carving and gem-polishing. The Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1619 and subsequently expanded and developed by the Dutch and the British the one time colonial masters of the Island. |
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