Andrew Pereira
The city of Colombo offers many interesting sightseeing attractions for the visitor. Amongst these are a number of historical attractions which are sure to attract your interest, as listed below.
The Colombo Fort area is always an interesting place to visit. Considered to be the city's central business district, the Fort contains many important buildings like the World Trade Centre and other significant landmarks. You will also find a number of leisure attractions like the well-known Galle Face Green, an expansive seaside park where locals as well as tourists congregate to spend leisure time. Near the Fort you will find the colourful Pettah market which is a vibrant bazaar where you can find a mind-boggling array of varied merchandise. The Fort boasts a rich and varied history, having initially been constructed by European colonialists.
This museum is located within a splendid colonial building that was constructed during the Dutch colonial era. It initially served as the residence of the Dutch Governor, and subsequently as the residence of Count Ranzow, a colonial nobleman. This building which is a typical example of a Dutch townhouse is considered to be one of the finest remaining constructions of this era. Within the museum you will find an array of fascinating artefacts including ceramics, furniture, weaponry and coins, all representative of the period of Dutch colonization. These exhibits provide an intriguing insight into the lifestyle of these European colonialists.
The splendid Independence Commemoration Hall located at this square is considered to be one of the Sri Lankan capital's most important monuments. This structure has been designed with architectural themes reminiscent of the ancient monuments of Sri Lanka. It bears a resemblance to a traditional Kandyan-style audience hall, and is always an engrossing monument to observe. This impressive specimen of architecture also features some intricate stone carvings that will capture the interest of the visitor. Another interesting feature is the row of stone lion statues that appear to guard this captivating monument. This edifice is often chosen as the venue for national day festivities and other important state celebrations.
The well-known Colombo lighthouse bears a rich history, having been initially constructed as long ago as 1860 as an impressive clock tower. It was transformed into a functioning lighthouse in 1865 when a lantern was added for this purpose. The clock which was originally placed within the lighthouse was constructed by the same maker who created the famous Big Ben; this particular clock was replaced in the year 1913. The Colombo lighthouse stands in the city's Fort and still features a functional clock. If you desire to rent a car Sri Lanka an excellent choice would be Online Rent Car, a well-reputed and convenient car rental specialist.
The National Museum in Colombo is housed within a splendid Italian style building that was constructed in colonial times. Today this museum is considered to be the oldest, largest and most prestigious institution of its kind in the nation of Sri Lanka. This expansive museum boasts an extensive selection of antiques as well as other artefacts collected from the entire country. More than 100,000 items can be seen on display in this renowned institution. The museum also features an extensive library that contains a vast number of rare historically significant books and documents.
