Joanna James
A city steeped in rich heritage, the tales of Trincomalee dates far back to over two thousand years. With much to do and explore, here are some iconic sites that should be visited in the area.
Taking its place on the world map since 400 BCE the Trincomalee harbour was renowned as a vital trading hub even back during the colonial era. It is stated that the British colonies recognized this bay as ‘the most valuable colonial possession on the globe’ as it not only did prove to be a strategic port for the happenings of the East India Company but also was able to provide security that the British hadn’t experienced elsewhere. To this very day, the importance of the bay of Trincomalee remains unfaded as it is on the top list of things to do in Sri Lanka. The magnitude of the vastness of this bay or how others saw this as a valuable possession, however, cannot be comprehended unless one witness it firsthand.
Known as the Rome of the Pagans of the Orient according to the historical records, it’s no surprise that the region of Trincomalee hosts a number of religious sites of interests. This classical medieval collective of shrines, that pays homage to a number of Hindu deities including Lord Shiva, ties itself to some significant legends and folklores including the Ramayana. Seated atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the cerulean expanse of the Indian Ocean, the Koneswaram Temple reflects creative artistry and architecture of its era.
Bespeaking on indescribable beauty, the Lover’s Leap is truly a spectacular sight to behold. Located at an altitude of 350 feet, on the Swarmy Rock, this attraction lies in close proximity to the Koneswaram Temple. There are two stories that are tied to this location and how it earned its name. Both these tales are of similar nature. According to the legends one Francina van Reed, engaged to a Dutch officer, stood at this cliff watching her lover sail away after breaking off his engagement. Unable to contain her grief she took a leap off this rock to end her agony.
Another allure of the city of Trincomalee is the truly spectacular beaches that its boasts of. One such attraction, the Marble beach is a fantastic haunt with a stretch of beach that extends for miles. Relatively uninhabited, here’s a location where one can revel in the striking tropical landscape of Trincomalee. With a host of holiday resorts available here, one can stay at a hotel whilst exploring the stunning beaches of Trincomalee. These hotels such as the Trinco Blu by Cinnamon even offers transportation services for their guests to explore the surroundings while in the area. Promising fun-filled times at the beach where one can watch the sun rising from the horizon, the Marble beach is something that would be a shame to miss out on.
Standing as a testimony to the maritime feats of Sri Lanka, especially of the East Coast, the Hoods Tower Museum is definitely a worthy visit to explore when in Trincomalee. From its location where it reaches to the heavens on a higher plane overlooking the bay of Trincomalee, to the artefacts it sports from those during the naval period of the colonial era to those of the 30 years civil war, this is an ideal location to discover the naval power of Sri Lanka since is colonial times.
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