Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

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The Old Town of Galle and Its Fortifications: A Unique Blend of Cultures

The Old Town of Galle and Its Fortifications, located on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, is a remarkable testament to the rich cultural interplay that occurred during the 16th and 18th centuries. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, this historic town offers a unique blend of European architectural styles and South Asian traditions.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion (iv): Galle provides an outstanding example of an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries during the period of European expansion in Asia. The most salient feature is the use of European models adapted by local craftspeople to the geological, climatic, historical, and cultural conditions of Sri Lanka. In the structure of the ramparts, coral is frequently used along with granite. In the ground layout, all the measures of length, width, and height conform to the regional metrology. The narrow streets are lined with houses, each with its own garden and an open veranda supported by columns, another sign of the acculturation of an architecture which is European only in its basic design. Among the characteristics that make this an urban ensemble of exceptional value is the original underground drainage system still in use from the 17th century, which is flushed by tidal sea water.

Encyclopedia Record: Galle

Galle is a major city on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km (74 mi) south of Colombo. Galle is the provincial capital and largest city of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and is the capital of Galle District.

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