Galle Self-Guided Walking Tour, Galle, Sri Lanka

By far the most intact colonial fortified city in Sri Lanka, Galle marks the location of the first Portuguese landing on Sri Lanka in the early 1500s. Following its capture by the Dutch in the 1640s, Galle was heavily fortified, briefly functioning as the capital and then becoming the major port of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).

What remains today is a picturesque remnant of a bygone era. The imposing walls surrounding the city make a great place for walking, watching the sunset or just admiring the views across the shoreline and Indian Ocean, while the narrow interior streets are filled with colonial delights. Exceptionally preserved and restored over time, Galle Fort is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a functioning settlement. People live and work within Galle Fort, while it also serves as a popular and romantic destination for both domestic and international tourists.

When visiting Galle Fort, part of the joy is just meandering through the backstreets and stumbling across the various hidden gems and colonial relics. This walking tour provides an overview of some of the key sites within the fortified city that should help you get started.

Also known as ‘Groot Kerk’ (meaning Grand Church), this unmistakably Dutch protestant church was completed in 1755. The floors and walls inside the church are filled with elaborate grave markers from both the Dutch and British eras, some of which are ominously decorated with skull and crossbones. The small graveyard outside is also filled with colonial graves. A groundskeeper was providing explanations and short tours of the church to tourists for free when we visited, but I can’t guarantee that this is always the case. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).