Travel: Galle Fort
Sri Lanka’s epic Fort, the Galle
Fort is an impressive four-hundred-year old citadel on the south-west
coast of Sri Lanka, a historical treasure that was at the height of the
pearl diving and fishing trade years ago.
It is one of the world’s best preserved living colonial Fort in Asia
and in 1988, it became a UN World Heritage site. During its very
colourful but difficult history, Galle was occupied by the Portuguese,
the Dutch and the British.
In recent times, certain governments came into power to lift land
rules and regulations to give tourists the ability to own land. And many
have made their home at the Galle Fort (with a 100% tax to the
government).
The Fort has predominantly Muslim residents, descendants of the Arab
merchants that have traded along Sri Lanka’s coastlines for many years.
As time went by, these Muslims mostly speak Tamil in their ability to
converse with Indian and Sri Lankan traders and use Arab in the holy
Qur’an. Nowadays, there are many Hindus, Sinhalese, Christians and other
Muslim communities lsuch as Malays who have made the Galle Fort their
home.
The sound of the Imaam blaring through the speakers calling Muslims
to prayer every morning with the Azaan pulsates through the Fort and the
bustling streets of Leyn Baan Street are visitors’ havens where many
quaint coffee shops and galleries thrive to Exotic Roots of Church
Street. The stone-walled Galle Fort is home to many expatriates who have
artisan businesses and offer employment to the people of Galle Fort.
Their work is displayed for the world to see at the Galle Art Trail
showcasing the best of Galle art in its finest form. On a typical day,
walk into Janaka De Silva’s Sithuvili, have a fizzy drink at Peddlar’s
or sip a delicious mango smoothie at Serendib. You are bound to see some
of the best writers hidden and busy at work at the Sri Serendipity
House.
A visit to the Galle Fort isn’t complete without a visit to the
National Museum (the first building built by the Dutcth in 1696) and the
newly restored Maritime Museum.
Find many archaeological ruins and even the skeleton of a 45-foot
whale and even walk to the Lighthouse Bastion. If you’re in an
adventurous spirit, check out the dangerous 45-foot into the Indian
Ocean and see the daily cricket match.
There are plenty of hidden secrets that lurk behind the crazy paving
walls of the Galle Fort, so discover your own experience! |
