Matara Star Fort, Star fort in Matara, Sri Lanka
Matara Star Fort is a six-pointed star-shaped fortification on the eastern bank of the Nilwala River in the southern Sri Lankan city of Matara. Its walls are built from granite and coral stone, surrounding a central courtyard with a bastion at each point designed to hold cannons.
The Dutch East India Company built this fort in 1763 after the original Matara fortification was badly damaged during an attack by forces from the Kandyan kingdom. The star shape was chosen because it reduced blind spots when defending against artillery fire and sieges.
The pointed corners of the fort follow a European military design that the Dutch used across their colonies in Asia. Inside the central building, visitors can see objects that reflect different periods of Sri Lankan history.
The fort is run as a museum by the Archaeological Department, and comfortable shoes are recommended since visitors walk across the full compound to see the displays. The site is relatively small, so a visit does not take long, but arriving early helps to avoid the midday heat.
The fort was once encircled by a water-filled moat where crocodiles were kept to stop anyone from crossing. This use of live animals as part of a defensive system was not unusual in the region at the time, but this site is one of the few in Sri Lanka where the practice is clearly recorded.
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