Joanna James
The charming city of Galle in Sri Lanka offers a host of engrossing sights for the visitor; key attractions include the Galle Fort, Galle Lighthouse, Old Dutch Market, the National Museum of Galle, Dutch Reformed Church and more.
The obvious place to commence your tour of the attractions in Galle would be the magnificent Galle Fort. The construction of this expansive fortification was commenced by Portuguese colonialists and completed by the Dutch. You will see that the Fort, which has been identified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, offers an entrancing melange of captivating architecture, archaeological significance and historical splendour. Within Galle Fort, you will also encounter an array of appealing cafés, shops, museums and lifestyle attractions that add to its charm. Not to be missed is a walk along its ancient ramparts overlooking the ocean that will capture the interest of the discerning visitor.
The Galle Lighthouse which is situated within Galle Fort is an attraction in its own right. This lighthouse which dates to 1848, attracts a myriad of sightseers since it presents a striking sight amidst its appealing surroundings. It will be a pleasant experience to take a leisurely stroll in the environs of Galle Lighthouse. Although it is not permitted to ascend to the upper section of the lighthouse, you may take the opportunity to take some outstanding photographs in its vicinity.
A rather different attraction in Galle would be the Old Dutch Market. As you may have guessed by its name, this market happens to be a remnant of Sri Lanka's colonial period. It is frequented by both locals and visitors from abroad as it offers fresh produce and may be considered to be an authentic Sri Lankan market. If you visit this site, you will have the opportunity to purchase some 'unusual' fruits which are popular amongst locals like wood-apple and rambutan.
Your sightseeing tour of Galle would not be complete without experiencing the well-known Dutch Reformed Church. This engrossing place of worship which is also referred to as De Groote Kerk dates to 1755 and has the distinction of being Sri Lanka's earliest Protestant church. It is renowned for its splendid architecture as well as the pulpit, organ and breathtaking stained glass elements. Interestingly, the Dutch Reformed Church is still used for worship today. A choice of accommodation to consider from which you could easily visit this attraction would be The Fortress Resort & Spa which may be regarded as one of the pleasingly located hotels in Galle.
Culture and history lovers heading to Galle should undoubtedly take the chance to visit the remarkable National Museum. Here, you will encounter many engrossing artefacts related to the history and culture of Sri Lanka. At this museum, you will be able to view items such as fascinating relics, traditional masks, wooden carvings, articles made from shells, architectural designs and many other artefacts of archaeological interest. The Dutch colonial period is also represented here in the form of vessel and weaponry displays.
Anyone with an interest in sea turtles will enjoy a visit to the remarkable Koggala Turtle Hatchery which is within the Galle district. This establishment is devoted to the conservation of sea turtles and the care of crippled, wounded and blinded turtles. Sea turtles are endangered and this hatchery plays a major role in protecting these beautiful creatures. It is also engaged in releasing baby turtles safely to the ocean once they hatch and visitors can take part in this enriching experience too.
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.
