Galle

This fortified port city is a poetic blend of eastern architecture with Portuguese and Dutch influence. Once again another UNESCO World Heritage site, it houses the Galle International Cricket Stadium, manna for a cricket crazy nation. About 115 kms from Colombo, Galle was an ancient seaport, a hub for trade along the silk route, where perhaps large shiploads of spices and silks were exchanged for precious gems and the rubies. As a strategically located ancient seaport, Galle has strong Moor, Dutch, Portuguese and British influences. The town has a quaint feel and a leisurely stroll through the ramparts of the fortress area transports you back to another era as it were.

 
The city houses ancient churches, such as the Groote Kerk, the oldest Protestant church in the island and the Kerkhopf. Galle also houses Dutch-style old mansions with intricate lattice work that is unique to Dutch architecture. A climb up the 18-metre high lighthouse is a rare treat for tourists. The Dutch entrance to the fort has its emblems emblazoned on it with ‘VOC 1669’ carved in the inner archway and is still in operation. Besides traders and entrepreneurs, there are records of visits by important historians such as Ibn Batuta, Fa Hein and Marco Polo.
 
Many locals were converted to Christianity by the foreign invaders and some of the Dutch and Portuguese cuisine has found its way into Sinhalese cuisine. Interestingly, baila music was first introduced in Galle and has become a part of mainstream Sinhala culture today. In fact, no celebration is complete without the catchy tunes that find the young and old gyrating to the heady beat. Galle can also prove to be a treasure trove for antique hunters and some interesting curios can be acquired here.
 
The cosmopolitan nature of the city attracts many tourists and the Galle Literary Festival held annually is an event that attracts literary personalities of international and local repute as well as cognoscenti who flock to the scenic city for a week’s literary pursuits. Galle is situated at the southern tip of Sri Lanka and lies in close proximity to popular beaches of Hikkaduwa and Bentota.
 
(Image Source : en.wikipedia.org,mysrilankaholidays.com)