Joanna James
When it comes to travelling in Sri Lanka, it's all about enjoying completely different vibes in different parts of the same country. The country is not only about history, culture, and authenticity, it's also about modern towns like Colombo that have a colonial heritage too.
If you happen to know the President's House in Sri Lanka or the Central Bank, right next to these buildings you will notice a clock tower that has an old colonial look. That's the landmark we are talking about! It's the Colombo Fort Clock Tower which was once a lighthouse too. Although this was the tallest structure at the time it was built, later many other taller buildings came up and as the view was blocked, the lighthouse lost its significance. Point Zero Kilometre in Sri Lanka is here and this is, of course, the ideal place to start your Colombo City tour from hotels the likes of Residence by Uga Escapes.
When you travel to Colombo, you will notice that many colourful buildings stand right in the city centre including office complexes and luxury hotels in Colombo. But there is a building in the Fort area that will quickly catch your eye simply because of its unique colour. The building is red in colour and it has a unique European architectural style. It's none other than the Cargills and Millers Building which was the first-ever high-end department store in Sri Lanka.
Do not forget to include a visit to this amazing cathedral if you design a Colombo city tour for yourself. St. Lucia's is believed to be the oldest and the largest parish cathedral in Sri Lanka, and once you visit this amazing place you will just love everything about it. There are seven statues at the entrance and once you step in, you will fall in love with the dark-skinned statue of the Madonna called 'Our lady of Katahena'.
This majestic looking building was established in 1876, and you will love the Italian architectural style that this building has. It's old, yet royal and it's none other than the National Museum in Colombo. The Royal Asiatic Society at that time took a great effort in impressing Governor William Gregory about a museum and the National Museum came into being with the contribution of the architects- J.G.Smither and Wapchi Marikar.
Yes, this is a hospital, but not a usual hospital building that you see in a town. This hospital is reserved for the planter community in the country and that's the uniqueness of it. The idea to make such a hospital was by Chrissie- the wife of a formerly reputed planter in Sri Lanka 'Joseph Fraser'. When Joseph passed away, she wanted to build an ideal memorial of him and this hospital was the result of her noble thought.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
