Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

The fort area of Sri Lanka's southern town of Galle is a colonial treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site (1988). It owes its existence to the influences of successive waves of traders. In last 500 years it has been inhabited by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, all of which left their distinctive marks. Huge ramparts and bastions enclose the old town of the fort, which itself is quite small, and therefore easy to get around on foot. The sleepy streets are dotted with interesting colonial buildings including churches, warehouses, a lighthouse and a former governor's house. There are a variety of restaurants and small boutique shops and once every year the city home to the Galle Literary festival, attracting renowned authors from all over the world.