Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Galle
091 / Population 100,200
Galle (pronounced 'gawl' in English, and '
gaar
-le' in Sinhala) is the big unmissable destin-
ation in the south. It's at once endlessly exotic, bursting with the scent of spices and salty
winds, and yet also, with its wonderful collection of Dutch-colonial buildings, a town of
great beauty. Classic architecture melds with a dramatic tropical setting to create a reality
that is endlessly interesting.
Above all else, Galle is a city of trade and, increasingly, art. Today the historic Fort area
is crammed full of little boutique shops, cafes and hotels owned by local and foreign
artists, writers, photographers, designers and poets - a third of the houses are owned by
foreigners.
Built by the Dutch, beginning in 1663, the 36-hectare Fort occupies most of a promon-
tory that's surrounded on three sides by the ocean. Just wandering the old walls and streets
at random yields one architectural surprise after another as you explore the amazing col-
lection of structures dating back through the centuries. Its glories have earned the Fort
status as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
A key part of the Fort's allure, however, is that it isn't just a pretty place. Rather, it re-
mains a working community: there are administrative offices, courts, export companies,
lots of regular folks populating the streets and a definite buzz of energy in the air.
Galle is easily reached as a day trip from Colombo and is a quick drive from the nearby
beach towns of Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna, but to really savour the place, stay within the
atmospheric walls of the Fort.
History
Although Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are much older than Galle, they are effectively
abandoned cities - the modern towns are divorced from the ancient ruins. In contrast, both
old and new Galle have remained vibrant.
Some historians believe Galle may have been the city of Tarshish - where King So-
lomon obtained gems and spices - though many more argue that a port in Spain seems a
more likely candidate. Either way, Galle only became prominent with the arrival of the
Europeans. In 1505 a Portuguese fleet bound for the Maldives was blown off course and
