I went with a well-researched list of places I wanted to visit when I visited Sri Lanka late last year. The teardrop country, near India, holds in itself centuries of tradition and its ancient cities and the Galle Fort witness history.
About 100 km from the capital, Colombo, and very close to the place where I was lodged in the south, Galle made even more sense to me when I learned that in 1505 a Portuguese vessel bound for the Maldives stopped there to take refuge from a storm.
View from the Galle Fort
The guides tell that a cock (“galo” in Portuguese) was on board and that when they heard him sing, they decided to call that new land Galle. However, other say that the name of the city comes from the word in Sinhala, gala (rock). Well, I confess that the first theory is much more interesting. 😉
The Portuguese presence continues for years, even with the construction of a small fort, which they called Santa Cruz. But with the entry of the Dutch, all traces were erased and, in 1663, the fortress that we can visit today was built.
Walking the streets of Galle Fort
I entered the walls through the old gate under a Dutch coat of arms, next to the Marine Archeological Museum and going to the large square surrounded by courts.
Old Gate
Cars can drive inside the fort, but it’s best to walk the streets full of historic buildings, churches, mosques, small shops and restaurants.
Streets inside the fort
Mosque near the fort walls
The Dutch Hospital was the second stop. This former colonial building from the 18th century, which once received patients, today gives way to a series of shops and restaurants, with tables that extend through the balconies facing the sea.
The Dutch Hospital
From there, following the outline of the walls, the view conquers you, as we approach another icon of this place: a lighthouse with 18 meters. From 1938, it still works today.
The lighthouse
We then chose to cross the inner streets to reach the Dutch Reformed Church and the Sun Bastion, with its Clock Tower and a view over the Galle International Cricket Stadium (another of the legacies of the people who passed through those lands).
Dutch Reformed Church
Sun Bastion
The Clock Tour
Where to eat and sleep in Forte de Galle
As I said, I stayed in Ahangama, but within the walls of the Galle Fort there are innumerable lodges for all tastes and wallets.
Choose HERE the best place to spend the night surrounded by History.
As for the meals, I followed the suggestions of the Lonely Planet and went to discover the Elita restaurant, near the lighthouse. Completely recommended! Mainly the tuna Carpaccio and the prawns. We liked it so much that on our last night in Sri Lanka we went back there. 🙂
Check out the video on the Galle Fort:
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33 COMMENTS
Bruno
6 years agoGod damn it, those cameroon looks good 🙂 !
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORAnd they tasted also very good, Bruno! 😉
Violeta
6 years agoI like the look of colonial buildings very much. Galle Fort seems to be the perfect place to take some photos of this architectural style. Besides, those foods look so appealing, that I feel like booking a flight to Forte de Galle right now!
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORIt’s really a wonderful place to get that colonial feeling and very photogenic too. You would love it!
Melissa
6 years agoAhh why did you have to post so many delicious looking food pictures? I’m pretty hungry over here, and this definitely didn’t help! In all seriousness though, this does look like a cool place to visit!
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORIt’s a great place to walk around, Melissa. And, sorry for tempting you with such food porn 😉
shane
6 years agoSuch an interesting wander through the town. I am intrigued by the yummy looking cuisine!
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORIt’s a very interesting place, Shane. And the food tasted as good as it looks! 😉
Siddhartha Joshi
6 years agoThis place is fascinating and I loved your pics. Btw I do agree that the story of the Portuguese galo (cock) is more interesting…
The food looks yum too, but I wonder if there is some good veg food as well for people like me?
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORHi! I think you’d be able to find some vegetarian options, since their were a lot of restaurants to choose from.
neha
6 years agoSri Lanka is high on my bucket list and I am planning a trip to it slowly. I definitely wanted to visit Galle. But after reading your post, there is no way I am going to miss it 🙂
The Nerdventurists
6 years agoI love the shot of the bike on the small, winding street. It must be quite an experience to ride through with all the foliage coming down and the houses packed in so close. The food looks delicious, too!
Wanderlust Vegans
6 years agoThe fort looks really cool and reminds me of the fort in Valença, Portugal that we went to before. It’s interesting hearing about how the fort changed hands from Portugese to Dutch and all the artifacts left from those times. It would be fun to go up that clock tower.
Soumya Nambiar
6 years agoIt is interesting to see streets inside a fort. I like the cock story better too. I am planning a Sri Lankan Itinerary and will definitely keep this in mind.
WhereMonicaGoes
6 years agoOh, Sri Lanka is on the list of countries I would like to visit this year as well! I am yet to create my itinerary though, so thank you for this post. I am looking forward to see its wonderful beaches and try their delicious and unique cuisine.
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORYou’ll have a blast! It’s a country full of lovely beaches, wonderful food and incredible history. I’m gonna publish other posts about Sri Lanka in the weeks to come, so keep checking the blog for more inspiration.
Ami
6 years agoThe fort is quite an interesting one. And your pictures make it even more so. I am sure there are some interesting stories too, that make the whole place worthwhile. Sadly I could not make it the last time I went to SL. Maybe Next time.
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORHi, Ami. I’m sure you’ll have an other opportunity next time you’re in Sri Lanka. If you want any other tip just let me know.
Allison
6 years agoI haven’t really had Sri Lanka on my radar as a place to visit until now. Galle Fort looks impressive and I agree that exploring is always better done on foot than in a car. Good to know that there is accommodation to suit all budgets.
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORHi, Allison. Sri Lanka is definitely a place you should visit one day.
Celma Costa
6 years agoHi Marlene,
It is very true that the portuguese influence is very palpable. I’m Mozambican and see it in my country often. So I love to visit these old, stone cities and simply immerse myself in its musings.
The food in your photograph looks delicious!
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORHi, Celma. Mozambique has a special place in the Portuguese heart. Still have to go to your country one day. I think it must be an amazing place. And, yes, the food was delicious! But I heard that Mozambique shrimps are the real deal
Dane
6 years agoThe place looks really beautiful! You can almost tell exactly what the climate is like just by looking at the buildings. Did you ever see that point working?
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORNot really, Dane. But you can drive like 20 minutes from here and get a lot of surfing opportunities
Ana Ojha
6 years agoGalle Fort is the most preserved European Fort in Asia. Its architecture is quite fascinating. Also, loved that cobbled street giving the feel of the by gone era!
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORIt really is a great historical place, Ana.
Sandy N Vyjay
6 years agoGalle looks charming and has a vintage aura about it. The Portuguese influence is visble in the place. I think this is a lovely place which we need to get to. Last time we did a flying visit of Colombo when we were transiting through SL.
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORWe didn’t spend a lot of time in Colombo either, but we got to see other amazing places in Sri Lanka.
Jitaditya Narzary
6 years agoAnother little gem from Sri Lanka! There is something charming about these small towns with colonial hangovers. It transports people to a different era but credit must also be given to your narration and photographs for that!
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORThank you so much, Jitaditya! Sometimes is hard to translate in just a few words and pics how wonderful a place is.
Jesper, The Biveros Effect
6 years agoThose small streets really look amazing for a walk. I really love to walk around between historical buildings when traveling. It just gives an extra dimension to the sights. 🙂
Marlene Marques
6 years ago AUTHORCouldn’t agree more with you, Jesper! Thanks for your comment.