Sri Lanka’s Galle Fort: A Place Where Chaos & Calm Collide
Sri Lanka’s southwest coast is home to a World Heritage Listed Dutch Colonial Town. Bordered on three sides by the glistening Indian Ocean, Galle Fort’s location on a rocky peninsula surrounded by coral reefs makes it an idyllic haven.
The Walled City, which was built by the Dutch in 1663, is safeguarded by robust brick ramparts. These walls are so resilient that they endured the brunt of the devastating 2004 tsunami.
While other locations along the coast were tragically torn apart, Galle Fort was largely protected from its fury, allowing its fascinating history to continue to radiate from its eclectic streets.
Strolling through the archway of the Main Gate and along the fort’s inviting boulevards and lanes, you will be struck by the laidback bohemian atmosphere that seems to be tinged with a sense of elegance and refinement.
“Dream the Day Away”
Many photographers, writers, artists and designers chose to make the tranquil but exciting city home. As a result, the streets within the walls are dotted with quaint cafes, high-class homewares stores, quirky jewellery boutiques and stunning restored hotels.
Precious gemstones and jewellery, handcrafted leathergoods and traditional batik artworks are amongst the souvenirs on offer.
Many hours could be spent wandering through the fort, getting lost in the promise that you’ll walk out with an elevated style and sophistication. It’s the perfect place to dream the day away.
Eventually, you will meet the ocean at the edge of the Fort Wall. The cerulean waves roll in rhythmically, lapping at the sheer rock face.
Point Utrecht is where the magnificent Galle Lighthouse resides. The whitewashed tower is flanked by tropical palm trees and engulfed on one side by a burst of vivid magenta blooms.
“A Concoction of Chaos & Calm”
Follow the fortified wall, drifting alongside the waves, until you reach Flag Rock. It was a bastion for the Portuguese in the 1500s. Signals were sent to approaching ships warning them of impending danger – mainly, the craggy rocks lurking beneath the water’s surface. Now, the point is mostly used by daredevils.
The adjacent open-air square hums with life. Galle is a popular location for educational field trips, so children’s laughter and merriment fills the air. Nearby, vendors wheeling squeaky carts sell fresh Sri Lankan snacks to the crowd.
“A Daredevil’s Display”
Suddenly, a rambunctious energy materialises. A local hypes the masses, threatening to do ‘The Jump’. Once he’s collected a sufficient amount of donations from the gathering tourists, he’ll prepare for his run-up.
Beneath Flag Rock, the ocean swells and surges around sharp grey boulders. In some areas, the water is only a metre deep!
A hush falls over the crowd, as the daredevil launches himself from the bastion and plummets into the precise point where the rocks split. It’s a heroic display of bravado, on the unfaltering walls of Galle Fort, where chaos and calm collide.
