castle
Galle Fort
A well-preserved 16th-century Portuguese and Dutch fortified city on a dramatic headland overlooking the Indian Ocean.
2 km · about 5 min drive
AsiaSri LankaSouthern Province
Galle
Southern Province, Sri Lanka · Asia
About Galle
Galle is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Unawatuna, 2km from Galle Fort.
Galle is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, with about 93,000 people. The nearest town is Unawatuna, about 5 km away.
Galle (Sinhala: ගාල්ල, romanized: Gālla; Tamil: காலி, romanized: Kāli ) is a major city on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km (74 mi) south of Colombo. Galle is the provincial capital and largest city of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and is the capital of Galle District.
Galle was known as Gimhathiththa beforeRead more
the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Ibn Batuta, a Moroccan Berber Muslim traveller in the 14th century, referred to it as Qali. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a World Heritage Site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.
Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the city's natural harbour, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, one of the main Shiva temples on the island, and Amangalla, the historic luxury hotel. On 26 December 2004, the city was devastated by the massive tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which occurred off the coast of Indonesia a thousand miles away. Thousands were killed in the city alone. Galle is home to the Galle International Stadium, which is considered to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. The ground, which was severely damaged by the tsunami, was rebuilt and test matches resumed there on 18 December 2007.
Important natural geographical features in Galle include Rumassala in Unawatuna, a large mound-like hill that forms the eastern protective barrier to Galle Harbour. Local tradition associates this hill with some events of Ramayana, one of the great Hindu epics. The major river in the area is the Gin Ganga, which begins from Gongala Kanda, passes villages such as Neluwa, Nagoda, Baddegama, Thelikada and Wakwella, and reaches the sea at Gintota. The river is bridged at Wakwella by the Wakwella Bridge.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Galle?
Within an hour or so of Galle: Galle Fort (2 km), Coconut Tree Hill (31 km).
Where is Galle?
Galle is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, about 5 km from Unawatuna.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 93,118
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Region
- Southern Province
- Timezone
- Asia/Colombo
- Coordinates
- 6.0461, 80.2103
Tags
Worth the detour from Galle
2 notable places within an hour's drive.
photogenic
Coconut Tree Hill
A lateritic headland at the western tip of Mirissa Bay planted with leaning coconut palms, with the Indian Ocean breaking on cliffs on three sides. The most photographed spot on the south coast.
31 km · about 35 min drive
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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