Fort Galle (Galle Fort) is one of five historic sites of Sri Lanka, a UNESCO world heritage site.
Therefore, it is absolutely mandatory place to visit, especially if you stay on the southern beaches.
This is the largest fortress in Asia built by Europeans.
Originally a fortress on this spot was built by the Portuguese in 1588. However, with the coming of the Dutch in the 17th century the fortress was almost completely rebuilt and today is a Dutch fortress, and the date of its Foundation is considered to be the year 1663 (date of completion). For nearly 200 years after the fortress was the main port of Sri Lanka, it served as a stop for ships travelling from Europe to Asia
Today the Fort is a Metropolitan area called old town. Actually within the Fort is also tourist district of Galle. Surrounded by the walls of the Fort there are hotels and shops, cafes and restaurants, offices and banks, there is a market. But life here flows like normal. There is no such fuss as a few hundred meters from the fortress, in the center of the city.
A quiet, almost romantic atmosphere that's inviting for long walks in the narrow streets.
We can say that the Galle Fort is a complex of attractions, because in addition to the walls themselves and the old buildings inside are several museums, antique shops, lighthouse, bell tower, jewellery workshops, a Church and a mosque. All these places can be visited while walking on the Fort, but even if they are closed or don't want to go there, the walk around the walls of the Fort and its streets, preserving historic architecture, will bring pleasure.
The Fort is always open, as this part of the city. To get in through two entrances (main gate and back gate). On the approach to the Fort is on duty the many tuk-tuks crooks who catch the tourists under the pretext that the
Fort is not open today, I propose to explore the other attractions of Halle (and in fact, to call in a few shops lured spices and tea). Sometimes under the pretext of trying to lure hapless tourist information center, which offers tours. Remember, the Fort is always open. No admission fee is charged, but for the inspection of individual sites will have to pay.
If you have enough time, we would recommend you to not only go through the center and streets of the Fort, but to get around him on the perimeter, on the walls. There are several leading to the top of the stairs.
