subject: Galle Harking Back To A Colonial Past [print this page] An impressive coastal city in Sri Lanka, Galle offers both the benefits of pristine coastal waters and historical monuments. This city represents the more traditional side of the country in addition to showcasing an important part of its history, namely Dutch colonisation.
Strolling around Galle truly takes visitors back to another time as very little of the modern makes itself apparent here. The quaint little alleyways, the architecture that hails to another period of time and the immediacy of the beach all come together to create something that arguably cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
The most prominent attraction undeniably, Galle Fort is an imposing construction that was left behind by the Dutch. This World Heritage Site is truly impressive in its stature and helps convey a sense of just how the city was once defended by its different colonial occupants. To explore the fort will take approximately one hour on foot, but a considerable amount of extra time can be spent should you wish to explore the fort thoroughly.
The National Maritime Museum is located inside the fort and presents visitors with the chance to learn about various forms of marine life. Housed inside are plant specimens, models of fish and whales as well as dioramas that demonstrate the marine ecological system in Galle.
The Dutch Reformed Church is another notable highlight in terms of architecture. A unique fact about this building is the fact that it has no pillars on the inside; its entire weight is supported by its walls. It also houses an extensive collection of marriage registrations dating all the way back to 1748. Beyond the church, two other structures that are worth a look are the Galle lighthouse and the clock tower.
