Galle, Colonial port city in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Galle is a fortified harbor town on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, enclosed by massive stone walls made of granite and coral stone. Inside these walls, whitewashed colonial buildings with tiled roofs stand beside old churches, mosques, and narrow cobbled streets that stretch down to the waterfront.
Portuguese sailors built a small fort here in the late 16th century, which was later captured by the Dutch in the 1640s and expanded into a larger fortified trading post. The British took control in 1796 and used the site as an administrative and military center until the 20th century.
When you enter the Utrecht Bastion, you can see locals playing cricket on the lawn, especially in the early evening. The old Dutch Reformed Church from the 18th century is still used for worship services, and its organ music often drifts through the narrow lanes.
The entrance to the fort is easy to reach from the main road, and you can explore the entire site on foot, as it is compact and pedestrian-friendly. The best times to visit are early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the heat eases and the light is softer.
The clock tower timepiece dates back to 1882 and was originally installed in a church in Scotland before being brought here. The bell chimes of the clock can be heard every day and serve as a reference for the time of day for residents.
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