via New Indian Express, 09 June 2024: Galle, a historic coastal town in Sri Lanka, captivates visitors with its well-preserved colonial architecture and vibrant culinary scene. The Galle Fort, built by the Portuguese and later enhanced by the Dutch, offers stunning sea views and a walk through its charming streets reveals a blend of ancient houses, boutiques, and restaurants.
The little-known coastal town of Galle is almost a Sri Lankan secret. It takes about a two-hour drive from Colombo to reach this port city that was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century when the likes of Vasco da Gama were exploring the Southern part of the subcontinent which included Ceylon. Colonial architecture, especially martial, is its leitmotif: Portuguese and Dutch forts and British colonial buildings make it a postcard-worthy place, or a selfie taken against the azure waters of the Indian Ocean from the ramparts of the Dutch fort is totally Instagrammable.
Holding Fort: The Galle Fort was star-shaped as the strategy of the times demanded it. A star fort, or trace italienne, is a fortification designed to withstand cannon fire, when gunpowder became the decisive factor in a battle. The Moon Bastion, designed in arrow shapes, ensures comprehensive defence from all angles, equipped with crenelations for large cannons.
Source: Exploring Galle: From forts to culinary delights in Sri Lanka’s coastal town
