The South - Sri Lanka - page 227

Point Utrecht Bastion HISTORIC SITE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Hospital St)
The eastern section of Galle's wall ends at the Point Utrecht Bastion, close to the powder
magazine, which bears a Dutch inscription from 1782. The bastion is topped by the land-
mark 18m-high lighthouse ( GOOGLE MAP ;Hospital St) , which dates to 1938 and is still in
use.
Lighthouse Beach BEACH
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; off Hospital St)
A nice little swath of sand right on the east side of the Fort, it's a good place for a dip after
a day's sweaty explorations.
Inside the Fort
Most of the older buildings within the Fort date from the Dutch era. Many of the streets
still bear their Dutch names, or are direct translations. The Dutch also built an intricate
sewer system that was flushed out daily by the tide. With true Dutch efficiency, they then
bred musk rats in the sewers, which were exported for their musk oil.
Visitors to Galle 20 years ago will be surprised by what they find today: crumbling
streets resurfaced with tidy paving stones and myriad historic building renovations both
completed and ongoing. And just when it all seems a bit upscale, a screaming monkey will
go leaping overhead.
Dutch Reformed Church CHURCH
(Groote Kerk, Great Church; MAP GOOGLE MAP ;cnr Church & Middle Sts; 9am-5pm)
Originally built in 1640, the present building dates from 1752 to 1755. Its floor is paved
with gravestones from the old Dutch cemetery (the oldest dates from 1662); the friendly
caretaker will tell you where remains are held in the walls and under the floor. The organ
from 1760 still sits in the building and the impressive pulpit, made from calamander wood
from Malaysia, is an imposing piece. It also makes for a shady place to pause.
Marine Archeological Museum MUSEUM