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View the bus station from the rampart in the Dutch Fort of Galle, Sri Lanka. Author A.Savin.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Galle Dutch Fort, Sri Lanka

Galle Dutch Fort is at the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It was built in 1588 by the Portuguese. Later, it was fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century.

The fort of Galle was handed over to the English by Dutch in 1796, one week after the surrender of Colombo. The entrance to the fort is constructed with cut stones, semicircular stones and with arches depicting the nature of a cavern.

Galle Dutch Fort is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument. The fort has maintained a polished appearance even after 432 years. This is due to the extensive reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.

Let’s learn the top 10 Fascinating Facts about Galle Dutch Fort

1. It was Initially Built by the Portuguese in 1588

The Portuguese arrived in Sri Lank through the Galle harbour. It was by mere chance they came here as their ship was caught in a storm and it is the winds that brought their ship to Galle.

The Portuguese befriended Dharmaparakrama bahu, the then King of Kotte. He permitted them to build a fort and church inside. The Fort was meant for the security of the Sinhalese.

2. The Fort was Used as Prison Camp

The locals opposed the colonists’ rule on the Island during the occupation of the Portuguese. The Fort was meant for security but it later became a prison for the locals who opposed the Portuguese.

3. The Fort was Captured From the Portuguese by the Dutch

Galle Dutch Fort. Author Toorzee, Jan Christiaansz.

In 1640, the Dutch Joined hands with King Rajasinhe II to capture the Galle Dutch Fort. The Dutch had a force of approximately 2,500 men under Koster who captured the Fort from the Portuguese.

4. The Dutch were Instrumental in Building the Fort as seen in its Present Form

Galle Dutch Fort. Author Koshy Koshy.

The Dutch established buildings with the Dutch architectural style in the Galle Dutch Fort. The establishment consisted of public administration buildings, warehouses and business houses and residential quarters.

A Protestant church was also built in baroque style in 1775 to cater to the colonists and the local people who were converted to Christianity. The most prominent buildings in the fort complex were the Commandant’s residence, the arsenal and the gun house.

Other buildings erected in the fort catered to trade and defence requirements such as workshops for carpentry, smithy, rope making and so forth. They also built an elaborate system of sewers that were flooded at high tide, taking the sewage away to sea.

5. Galle Dutch Fort was Used as the Southern Headquarters of the British

The British took over the fort on 23 February 1796. This an after Colombo was captured. After the fort came under the control of the British in 1796, it remained their southern headquarters.

The British made several modifications to the Galle Dutch Fort. These included closing the moat, building houses, a lighthouse on the Utrecht Bastion, and a gate between the Moon Bastion and the Sun Bastion.

Furthermore, A tower was erected in 1883 to commemorate the jubilee of Queen Victoria. The Second World War saw many more fortifications built to defend the fort too.

6. Most of the Street Names Inside the Fort are a Legacy from the Colonial Period

A Street In Galle Fort. Author Suranga Wijeratne

Pedlar street or ‘Moorse Kramerstraat’, the Moorish pedlar street was named after the Muslim moors. They were retailers along with chassis.

Lighthouse street also referred to as Zeeburgstraat’ or ‘Middelpuntstraat’ was named after the lighthouse that was destroyed in a fire in 1936.

Church Street was named after a church that was demolished in the 17 century and also the location of the Dutch Reformed Church and All Saints Church.

Other streets in the Galle Dutch Fort are Parawa Street, named after the Parawa migrants from South India who were fishermen and traders. Chando Street was named after the toddy tappers and Dutch Burghers who owned coconut gardens and small ark distilleries.

7. Galle Dutch Fort is Bordered by Brick walls and Grassed Ramparts

Galle Dutch Fort. Author Madhawa Dunuwila.

The Galle Fort is bordered by Brick walls and Grassed ramparts which were built by the Dutch merchants around the 17th century. However, the walls in front of the Fort were built by the Portuguese.

The walls were fortified with several bastions. Along the eastern fort, the wall is the Portuguese-built oldest bastion, known as Zwart Bastion, meaning Black Bastion.

 The eastern section of the fort terminates in the Point Utrecht Bastion. Further along, the fort walls are the Triton Bastion where a windmill drew water from the sea to sprinkle the dusty roads of the town. It is also a viewpoint to watch sunsets.

More bastions are seen along the fortifications from the Triton Bastion up to the Main Gate. In total 14 bastions can be found: Sun Bastion, Moon Bastion, Star Bastion, Zwart Bastion, Akersloot Bastion, Aurora Bastion, Point Utrecht Bastion, Triton Bastion, Neptune Bastion, Clippenburg Bastion, Flagrock Bastion, Aeolus Bastion, Fishmark Bastion and Commandment Bastion.

8. The Bread Fruit Tree Inside the Fort is believed to be the oldest Bread Fruit Tree in Sri Lank

The breadfruit tree was introduced in Galle Dutch Fort by the Dutch. It is believed that the Dutch introduced the breadfruit thinking that the ‘heaty’ nature of the tree would either kill them or make them sick.

However, the Sri Lankans found a neutraliser to this in the coconut tree. They mixed breadfruit with coconut and evolved a delicacy.

Ultimately it became a delicacy among the population. It is now considered to be very tasty and nourishing. This tree is now grown across Sri Lanka.

9. Tsunami of 2004 had a Devastating Effect on Galle Fort

During the 2004 Tsunami, the Galle Dutch Fort was damaged. Most of the buildings were either destroyed or damaged to a large extent.

Those that were destroyed were rebuilt afresh and damaged ones were renovated. The renovation was done under the supervision of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The old appearance which was there before Tsunami was retained.

10. The Fort has been Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The fort has a colourful history and its heritage value of the fort has been recognized by UNESCO. Moreover, the Galle Dutch Fort was Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site under criteria iv.

The Fort has a unique exposition of an urban ensemble Which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and south Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

The Galle Dutch For has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are making this one of the modern wonders of the world.