Shehanw at English Wikipedia, Galle Fort, CC BY-SA 3.0
The island nation of Sri Lanka has an incredibly rich history that stretches back millennia, with advanced civilisations being in existence even four hundred years before the birth of Christ. During the 1500s, the colonial era of the nation began, when Portuguese invaders began to slowly seize control of the nation. These invaders sparked the creation of the Galle Fort, which is currently one of the most renowned tourism destinations in Sri Lanka and whose surroundings is the site of many boutique hotels in Sri Lanka from entities such as Mosvold Hotels.
The Portuguese built their initial structure in 1588, which was subsequently destroyed around the time of the Dutch invasion. It was the Dutch that built a true fortification and constructed the Galle Fort as it remains today. The site has now earned the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Astonishingly, the fort even survived the catastrophic Boxing Day Tsunami.
The iconic fort features fourteen bastions and possibly the most famous of them is the Point Utrecht Bastion, which was named after the hometown of Rev.Anhenrio Husaivers, who was the first clergymen to arrive in Galle affiliated to the Dutch Reformed Church.
This bastion is the most prominent because it features the Galle Lighthouse which is one of the biggest attractions in Galle. The lighthouse featured in this bastion was a replacement built in 1939 after the initial one was destroyed in a fire.
This particular bastion was one of the most important defensive points, and had six canons in 1760. There were also bunkers that were built and used during the Second World War, but these were subsequently removed.
If you ever find yourself in the captivating coastal town of Galle, be sure to visit this iconic and historically significant fort. The Galle Fort’s and its legendary Point Utrecht Bastion are definitely an experience to be remembered.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+
You might also like
