Richmond Castle, Kalutara, Edwardian mansion in Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Richmond Castle is a two-story mansion in Kalutara with 99 doors and 34 windows, constructed using teak wood from Burma and featuring glass panes from Scotland and Italy. The rooms are spacious and open in layout, with elaborate details visible throughout.
The house was built between 1900 and 1910 by wealthy landowner Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena following his studies in England. Its construction reflected the experiences and influences he gained during his overseas travels.
The mansion blends British architectural features with elements inspired by Indian palace design, visible in its decorative details and room layouts. Visitors notice this fusion immediately upon entering the elaborate rooms and covered verandas.
The building welcomes visitors daily, though morning hours offer fewer crowds and better natural light in the rooms. Comfortable shoes are important since you will climb multiple staircases and explore different levels throughout the structure.
An underground cooling system channels air from the Kalu Ganga river directly to the dance floor through a network of tubes, a remarkable solution for the tropical climate. This ingenious mechanism kept the space naturally cool without modern air conditioning.
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