Historic Places in Colombo – Remarkable Historical Attractions

The bustling Colombo Fort which is bordered by the Colombo Harbour towards the north and the Beira Lake towards the south can be regarded as the very heart of the city of Colombo. The actual fort that formerly existed here was constructed and developed by the Portuguese colonialists, and was subsequently acquired by the Dutch before, in turn, being destroyed by the British. Today you will see that the Fort area functions as the central business district of the city and boasts a number of attractions for the visitor. Many of the vital commercial functions of Colombo occur within the Colombo Fort area.

Lovers of historical attractions will be captivated by the Independence Commemoration Hall which is situated at Colombo's Independence Square in the upscale area known as Cinnamon Gardens. The Independence Commemoration Hall is regarded as being one of Sri Lanka's national monuments and also presents an interesting sight for the visitor. This concrete structure has been constructed to resemble a Kandyan style audience chamber, featuring pillars that suggest those found in ancient buildings in Sri Lanka. Another interesting feature of this hall is the numerous stone lion figures which symbolically guard this important monument. You will also see exquisite stone carvings and paintings at this engrossing historical site.

Your tour of Colombo's historical attractions would not be complete without visiting the renowned Colombo Lighthouse. This structure was originally established in the year 1860 solely as a clock tower; it was converted into a lighthouse in 1865 by the addition of a lantern. Interestingly the clock that was initially installed in the tower – which was manufactured by the same maker as the famous Big Ben – was replaced with a new one in 1913. Today this striking cylindrical tower only functions as a clock tower as the lantern is not operational. It is rumoured to be the sole lighthouse on the globe that indicates the time in the midst of a busy street.

The well-known Colombo National Museum is sure to capture the imagination of the culture lover. The museum is housed in a magnificent colonial period mansion featuring Italian-style architecture. The National Museum is considered to be Sri Lanka's largest, oldest and most prestigious museum. Within this establishment, you will find a vast collection of antiques as well as many other interesting artefacts obtained from the various parts of Sri Lanka. History enthusiasts will also be enthralled by the museum's library which contains an extensive collection of rare books related to the history of the island nation. As you experience these engrossing historical attractions a residential choice that you could consider would be apartments in Colombo Sri Lanka such as those that will be offered by the up and coming Capitol TwinPeaks.

History lovers will be entranced by the intriguing Dutch Period Museum which is located in the busy commercial area of Pettah. Formerly the residence of a 17th century Dutch Governor, this remarkable building provides a fascinating insight into the long past colonial era of Sri Lanka. Having the distinction of being one of the few remaining Dutch period buildings left in the city, this building never fails to capture the imagination of the visitor with its red tiles, high roof and numerous columns. Within this museum, you will encounter artefacts such as Dutch furniture, headstones, important documents and antique porcelain.