Batticaloa Fort, Portuguese colonial fort in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.
Batticaloa Fort is a stone fortress located on an island surrounded by Batticaloa Lagoon on two sides and protective canals on the others. The structure features four defensive bastions with walls built from granite and coral materials.
Portuguese colonists built the fort in 1628, which the Dutch captured in 1638 before the British took control starting in 1795. These transitions shaped the structure and architecture visible today.
The fort blends colonial heritage from three different periods with local Buddhist traditions rooted in the 1st century BC. Visitors can observe these layers through the buildings and layout while walking through the site.
The fort now houses government administrative offices and welcomes visitors daily. Morning visits are preferable, as the area is less busy and the heat is milder than later in the day.
Some walls were constructed using coral stones quarried directly from the surrounding lagoon. This building method was practical and made efficient use of available local materials.
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