Dutch Forts ( Galle
)
View Photo Gallery ^
Located at the extreme southwest of the
country is the city of Galle . At this
point the coastal line turns east towards
Matara and Tangalle. The Fort, one of
the main historical forts in Sri Lanka
like many of the other forts is built
upon a small peninsula. Jagged rocks in
the water surround the fort and strong
currents as well, making access difficult.
A pilot was needed approach the fort.
Entering from the seaside would have not
been considered. The fort was built initially
by the Portuguese in 1588 but at present
the only part of the fort that is recognizable
as Portuguese is a section of the thick
wall that surrounds the town. The Galle
fort was captured by the Dutch with a
force of almost 2500 men under Koster
from the Portuguese in 1640. The defenses
of the fort were updated until the early
18 th century. It is the only inhabited
fort in Sri Lanka with over a hundred
houses inside that also date back to the
Dutch period.
Waterfalls in Sri
Lanka View Photo Gallery ^
Sri
Lanka is known for its many tourist destinations
and also its beautiful beaches but there
is also a side of Sri Lanka that offers
those who appreciate the great outdoors
a spectacular display of nature.
Waterfalls are one of Sri Lanka’s
most treasured parts of nature. Sri Lanka
boasts of almost 400 waterfalls scattered
all over the island. Breathtaking waterfalls
cascading down mountain slopes enhance
the beauty of the hill country. The geographical
formation of the island, with the central
highland sloping down to the coastal plains,
has resulted in several rivers and streams
starting from the central region flowing
down the hilly slopes in a radial pattern,
creating these wonders of nature in several
places throughout the hill country. This
section will take you through some of
the most famous of them.
Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle View Photo Gallery ^
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is located 206 km from Colombo . Anuradhapura was founded in the 5th century B.C. and became the capital of Sri Lanka in 380 B.C. This ancient city was ruled by Sinhalese kings for over a 1,000 years. Currently, this ancient capital of Sri Lanka is considered as a Sacred City . It is a reflection of ancient Sinhalese power and the most extensive and important of Sri Lanka 's ancient cities. Sri Lanka is rich in historic sites, which are of great importance to culture of the island.
Here, one finds the ruins of an ancient city that flourished once upon a time. This great past is reflected in the huge Dagobas, palaces and monuments. Its impressive remains were rediscovered to the wider world in the early 19th century and have been in the process of restoration ever since. They lie to the west and north of the modern town of Anuradhapura.
Here you will find the Sacred Bo Tree - over 2,000 years old. The Sacred Bo-Tree is the city's holiest site, and was grown from the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment - originally a sapling from the tree in North India.
Polonnaruwa (2 nd Century AD)
Just 216 km from Colombo and 75 km South East of Anuradhapura is the ancient sacred city of Polonnaruwa . This city was once the medieval Capital of Sri Lanka from 11-12 century A.D. Polonnaruwa rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura . Historic ruins of the king's council chamber, Royal Citadel, Kumara Pokuna, Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic Houses adorned with moonstones, guardstones and sculptured railings, temple houses, rock cut statues and a vast man made lake are some of the important sights. The largest of the man made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra, is occupies an area larger than the Colombo Harbour . The Kiri Vehera, a white stone dagoba of imposing height is one the many tributes to the Buddhist faith.
Sigiriya (5 th Century AD)
This magnificent rock citadel known as Sigiriya is a very secure fortress. It is also a monastic retreat, and a rock art gallery. The fortress was built by King Kasyapa (477-495 AD) in the 5th century A.D to fend a feared invasion and it is situated on top of a towering 200m (656ft) high rock. In a sheltered pocket of the rock are the famous frescoes. These 5th century paintings of damsels have withstood the elements for 15 centuries. Stone steps lead to the top where the ground is flat in an area of nearly one hectare. Here, the palace's outer wall was built on the very brink of the precipice. Courtyards and even a complex drainage system were constructed. For more than 18 centuries Sigiriya was the royal citadel. The summit of the rock offers beautiful views. The UNESCO Central Cultural Fund has restored Sigiriya's 5th century Water Gardens to their earlier glory.
Dambulla
Located 148 km from Colombo and South of Sigiriya is the vast isolated rock mass. On the summit of Dambulla is a cluster of five temples, which in ancient times have been the dwelling of monks. Here the King Valagam Bahu (104-76 BC) took refuge in the 1st century B.C. The king later turned caves into rock temples. Carved out of rock is a huge recumbent image of the Buddha 14m long. Dambulla is considered to be the gateway to the northwest and is the first of the greatest sites in the cultural triangle. Within the five large caves, where the largest is about 50m deep and 6m in height, are sitting, standing and reclining Buddha images by the dozen, as well as Hindu gods and each cave is full of mural paintings of scenes from the Buddha's life.
