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EXPLORING GALLE FORT
Some
historians claim that Galle with its C17th Dutch fort may be the old
testament Tarshish, the fabled sea emporium of ancient times from where
King Solomon obtained his gems, spices and peacocks. In 1344, the famed
Moorish world traveller from Tangier, Ibn Batuta, stayed briefly in Galle
and found Arab sailing ships in its harbour. Today, Galle Fort is a
UNESCO world heritage site and the "quiet town dreaming by the sea" with
the ghosts of history wandering the ramparts surrounding the Fort's maze
of narrow streets, has again become a destination for discerning globe
trotters.
The
Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive en masse in Galle. The Fort,
however, for good reason, will always be more closely associated with the
Dutch than the Portuguese. After a bloody siege in 1640, the Dutch seized
Galle Fort and began constructing the magnificent 36 hectare hexagonal
stone fort that survives intact to this day.
It is
in this early Dutch period that the long history of
Amangalla,
formerly the New Orient Hotel, Amanresorts' newly restored luxury property
in the heart of Galle Fort begins. An C18th Dutch East India Company (VOC)
map shows what later became the south-east wing of the present hotel, as
the Dutch Commandant's residence. A separate building on the same site
probably housed officers from the Dutch garrison. Both buildings date from
around 1864 when the Dutch moved their main seat of government from Galle
to Colombo
The
main attractions are Galle Fort; a world heritage site and former
fortified town and ramparts of the Dutch East India company. This is the
finest and most intact fortified city built by Europeans in South Asia.
The Dutch Groote Church or the Dutch East India Company (VOC) built Dutch
Reformed Church has been painstakingly restored. Its floors are made from
C17th Dutch gravestones and its walls have Dutch family crests.
The
sprawling town of Galle is best explored on foot or by tuk tuk. Old
British cars, bullock carts, bicycles, three wheelers and food carts
punctuate the streets, people socialise and shop, collect their children
from school and wander the 300 year old ramparts at sunset. Strolling
along the high rampart walls you will see the Old Dutch and English
churches, the Governor's house, the massive VOC warehouses, the Square of
Courts, the elegant pillared facade of the old Dutch hospital, the
Portuguese Black Fort, the lighthouse, the Clock Tower and much more.
See
Map
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