Galle Trip Overview
Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Today’s town has grown greatly and spreads into the surroundings but the Fort is the slow beating heart of Galle‘s history. The walled city has stood since the early sixteenth century, through the Colonial periods of the Portuguese, Dutch and British and in our present times is proclaimed as an Archaeological Reserve and has been identified as a living World Heritage Site. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic city is a delight to explore on foot, an endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient churches, grand mansions and museums. Wandering its rambling lanes you’ll pass stylish cafes, quirky boutiques and impeccably restored hotels owned by local and foreign artists, writers, photographers and designers.
Additional Info
Duration: 1 day
Starts: Galle, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Galle Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Galle, Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Today’s town has grown greatly and spreads into the surroundings but the Fort is the slow beating heart of Galle‘s history. The walled city has stood since the early sixteenth century, through the Colonial periods of the Portuguese, Dutch and British and in our present times is proclaimed as an Archaeological Reserve and has been identified as a living World Heritage Site. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic city is a delight to explore on foot, an endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient churches, grand mansions and museums. Wandering its rambling lanes you’ll pass stylish cafes, quirky boutiques and impeccably restored hotels owned by local and foreign artists, writers, photographers and designers.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ariyapala Mask Museum, 426 Main Street, Ambalangoda 80300 Sri Lanka
This museum is designed to introduce into the richness of the mask tradition of Ambalangoda and to strengthen this cultural heritage. The museum, the workshop and the small library (containing all available anthropological literature on masks performances) may serve as a centre for traditional arts and crafts and for research as well.
Stop At: Meetiyagoda, Sri Lanka
Board Sri Lanka’s very own tie-n-dye industry. Popularly known as ‘Batik’, Ambalangoda is well-known for this creative activity on fabric, decor and accessories. Meetiyagoda and Gintota are the two most known villages for Batiks. Paints and cloth of a number of vibrant shades and patterns can be seen around the area.
Ask your guide or your hotel for tips and suggestions for times to visit the villages and witness the amazing process of tie-n-dye that you have only heard about. You may even pick out your own pattern and fabric! It is a trip you shouldn’t miss out on.
Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
The Galle Fort, or Dutch Fort as it is also known, is a fortification first built by the Portuguese on the South western coast of Sri Lanka. The initial fortifications, which were built in the late 16th century, were quite basic. However the fort underwent extensive modifications in the 17th century by the Dutch, making it one of the most important archaeological, architectural and historic monuments to illustrate the European influence in South East Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. According to a statement by UNESCO the site was recognized as a World Heritage Site for its unique exposition of an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries which is the criterion number four for such recognition.
Stop At: Stilt Fishermen Sri Lanka, Koggala Sri Lanka
Ritipanna is the Sinhalese term for stilt fishing, which is a traditional method for fishing practiced by most fishermen along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Fisher folk climb onto this stick and settle on the pole for a few hours in an effort to catch some fish. Fishermen found on stilts are those who do not have access to sophisticated equipment for fishing. These men can make a living simply with the help of two wooden poles to make a stilt. One pole is nailed onto the sea bed and the other is placed like a cross bar and acts as a plank for the fishermen to sit on. Each stilt can accommodate only one fisherman. For catching fish, they create a rod made of Kithul, and a small plastic bag is tied around their waist to hold the fish that they catch. With one hand they hold onto the stilt and with the other they hold the rod that catches fish. According to stilt fishermen, this art requires a lot of patience and endurance.
Stop At: Dutch Church, Kalpitiya, KalpitiyaFort, Kalpitiya 61360 Sri Lanka
A monument of particular interest in the Fort is the Dutch Church dedicated in 1754. It was built on the site of a Portuguese Capuchin Convent. The present Dutch church was erected as a thank-offering by Gertruda Adrianna Le Grand, wife of the Commandeur Gasparus de Jong, for the long-prayed birth of a son. The church merits half an hour of the visitor’s time and perusal. Within, is an organ loft which once held a cumbrous Dutch organ, hatchments on the walls and engraved tombstones on the floor of great interest is the orthodox pulpit, the finest specimen found in any church in Sri Lanka, hexagonal in shape and of finely grained calamander wood with panels of satin wood. Underneath the platform of the pulpit is an exquisite carving in “pomegranate pattern”, while the sounding board is massive and suspended from the wall with iron rods and hoops.
