In this costal town, the Dutch presence is still visible. Galle was an ancient
port (said to be the legendary Tarshish of the Bible), and our first international
commerce and trade centre. Today, Galle is the bustling provincial capital
and administrative centre of the south. It is famous for its lovely Unawatuna
Bay, where the sea is reef protected and therefore safe for swimming. The
old Dutch ‘Star’ fort (a World Heritages Site) covering 36 hectaers,
the well-preserved Groote Kerk (Dutch Church), Dutch Government House, the
New Oriental Hotel (built in 1684) old bell tower and a tide-based Sewage-System,
also introduced by the Dutch. In Gale they still make the Dutch ‘pillo-lace’
and do fine ebony-carving and gem-polishing.
Galle City, Sri Lanka Travel Guide - Reservation Form
