Old Colombo Dutch Hospital, Colonial hospital building in Colombo Fort, Sri Lanka.
The Old Dutch Hospital is a colonial-era building in Colombo Fort consisting of five connected wings arranged around two courtyards. The structure features thick stone walls and broad verandas designed to provide natural ventilation throughout the interior spaces.
This building was constructed in 1681 for the Dutch East India Company and functioned as a medical facility for company personnel and sailors from the nearby port. It represents an important structure from the earliest period of European colonial presence in the region.
The restored structure now houses Sri Lankan restaurants that serve local seafood and other regional dishes in the original rooms. Visitors can experience contemporary dining practices set within the thick stone walls and broad verandas of the colonial era.
Located near the harbor on Hospital Street, this complex now operates as a shopping and dining precinct open to visitors daily. The layout of the connected wings and courtyards makes it easy to navigate between the various restaurants and retail shops.
A canal that flowed beside the structure during Dutch rule was later filled in by British authorities during their colonial administration. This waterway no longer visible today shows how the site changed under different European powers.
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