Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications is a walled colonial town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, in Galle in the Southern Province. Known also as Galle Fort or Dutch Fort Galle, it is one of the island's best-known heritage sites and a place where the visitor can walk through streets lined with historic buildings inside its ramparts.
The town began under the Portuguese and was fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. That layered past is easy to read in the place itself: the sea walls, bastions and gateways recall the colonial period, while the older buildings within the walls give a sense of daily life there over the centuries. Museums are also found in the town, offering a way to learn more about its story before or after a stroll.
What a visit offers
- Walking the ramparts, with views over the town and the ocean
- Exploring historic buildings and narrow streets inside the walls
- Visiting the museums to learn about the fort's history
- Spending time in the wider city of Galle, which lies around the fort
The fort is best approached at an unhurried pace, allowing time to stop at the walls and look out at the sea. Because the town is compact, a visit can easily be combined with a few hours of wandering through its lanes and the surrounding city.
Getting there
The fort is at Galle Fort, Galle, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. For questions before a trip, the contact number listed for the site is +94 91 2234059.