Must See Attractions in Trincomalee During your Vacation – The Ancient City that is Largely Forgotten

The sacred Kandasamy Kovil is located atop a rock outcrop and is one of the only five kovils in honour of the deity Shiva. It further houses the Swayambhu Lingam and is frequently visited by pilgrims all over the world. While the current structure was built in the nineteenth century, the site has been a point of worship for over two millennia. A hop away from the premises is a steep escarpment called Lovers' Leap. With a drop of one hundred and thirty feet, it is an ideal location for whale watching between the months of February and November. The path to the kovil is lined with street vendors who sell everything from souvenirs to refreshments.

This Fort has been an important military structure for hundreds of years. It was first built in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese and was later modified by the Dutch forces who took over. In the seventeenth century, the British settled in. You can notice their royal insignias present in many areas of the fort. Fast forward the centuries and Fort Frederick is still in use by the Sri Lankan military. However, do not fret as you can still gain entry to most parts of the fort. Cannons and other artillery equipment can be seen scattered over the fort while Fort Frederick is also well known for its Georgian-styled mansion inside the compound.

The Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the most revered monuments in Buddhism. It was built in the second century but was abandoned and forgotten until its discovery in the nineteenth century. The surrounding area was unkempt land with shrubs and low lying grass but the Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya looks much better after the renovation done during 2009. If you are planning on visiting Trincomalee, mark this attraction as a must-visit. It is en route to the city in the event that you are travelling by vehicle rather than taking one of the many flights to Trincomalee handled by air operators like Cinnamon Air.

The Maritime & Naval History Museum is located in a renovated eighteenth century Dutch building. The lower floor focuses on the country's marine history all the way back to the thirteenth century. On the upper floors, one can access a wealth of information on animals and plant species present in the surrounding area as well as on the famous Pigeon Island.

While Nilaweli Beach is more popular among visitors, the Manayaweli Cove is a wondrous little gem that is quite sheltered from the crowds. You can find a completely unpolluted beach strip with crystal clear water. The Manayaweli Cove is located just after the Manayaweli Pond, which is also referred to as the Dhoby tank.