Negombo Fort

Negombo Fort is a fortification standing near the mouth of Negombo lagoon, constructed with limestone and coral walls featuring remnants of an eastern bastion and other defensive structures. The visible elements come from different building phases that shaped the site's current appearance.

Portuguese forces built the initial fortification in 1672, followed by Dutch reconstruction that changed the layout from square to pentagonal design. These transformations show how different colonial powers introduced their military strategies and building techniques at the site.

The site reflects three distinct colonial powers - Portuguese, Dutch, and British - each leaving traces in how the structures were built and modified. Visitors can observe how military architecture evolved through different periods by looking at the walls and remaining fortifications.

The Department of Prisons currently operates the site, so public access is restricted to viewing the exterior of the remaining structures and the gateway inscription. It is best to visit during daylight hours to see the stone structures and bastion clearly.

A granite slab above the recessed arched gateway displays the date 1678, marking one of the few remaining original elements from the Dutch reconstruction period. This detail is a rare survival that documents the exact timing of that major transformation.