Overview
The city of Galle holds significant historical importance in Sri Lanka, especially in the context of international relationships during ancient times. Various foreign traders, including Arabs, Chinese, and Greeks, frequented the area for trade. Galle even found a place on Ptolemy’s world map, created between 125-150 AD. Presently, Galle is renowned worldwide for the Galle Dutch Fort, standing proudly along the Indian Ocean, and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dutch Ceylon, spanning from 1640 to 1796, marked a period where the Dutch East India Company supplanted Portuguese influence in what is now Sri Lanka. The Dutch’s primary objective was to dominate the spice trade, particularly in cinnamon, leading to the construction of forts such as those in Galle and Colombo. The Treaty of Batticaloa (1638) granted the Dutch trading rights and permission for fortifications. Over time, Dutch influence dwindled, and in 1796, the British assumed control following the Treaty of Amiens, ultimately concluding the era of Dutch Ceylon. The Dutch legacy endures through Sri Lanka’s forts and the Dutch Burgher community.
Highlights
- Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserved colonial-era fortification the fort
- narrow streets lined charming Dutch and Portuguese colonial buildings
- The iconic Galle Lighthouse and the picturesque views fort's ramparts
- Picturesque Setting and Ocean Views
- Architectural Splendor Preserved Dutch colonial architecture
- Historical Significance