The Sou
T
h
The Sou
T
h
A
C
T
ivi
T
ie
S
The Sou
T
h
G
A
lle
surrounding waters. It covers two levels that
snake though the old walls.National Maritime Museum MUSeUM
(Queens St; adult/child US$3/1.50; h9.30am-
4.30pm Tue-Sat) Nestled in the old walls, this
small museum is worth a quick look for its
skeleton of a Brydes whale and a very use-
ful model that explains how tsunamis oc-
cur. There are also some dusty mannequins
demonstrating old fishing techniques.Historical Mansion hiSTORiC SiTe
(31-39 leyn Baan St; h9am-6pm) If you think
you’ve got a lot of clutter filling up the shelves
at home, then just wait until you get a load of
the Historical Mansion, which is the private
collection of a longtime Fort family. Set in a
restored Dutch house, it’s not really a muse-
um, as many of the exhibits have price tags.
Look for oodles of colonial artefacts, including
collections of antique typewriters, VOC china,
spectacles and jewellery.
Don’t miss the places where plaster has
been removed to show how the building was
constructed.Amangalla hiSTORiC BUilDiNG
(10 Church St) The Amangalla was built in 1684
to house the Dutch governor and officers.
Later, as the New Oriental Hotel, it was the
lodging of choice for 1st-class P&O passengers
travelling to and from Europe in the 19th cen-
tury. During much of the 20th century, it was
in a decades-long slow decline and was run by
the legendary Nesta Brohier, a grand lady who
was actually born in room 25.
The hotel has a memorable and comic
role in Paul Theroux’s iconic The Great Rail-
way Bazaar. It was massively restored and
reopened as the luxurious Amangalla in 2004.
Public areas like the bar, lobby and restau-
rants are open and worth a look.Dutch Hospital hiSTORiC BUilDiNG
(hospital St) This vast, colonnaded colonial
landmark dates to the 18th century. Its size
was necessary as both the voyage to Ceylon
and life in the tropics proved very unhealthy
to the Dutch, who died in droves from various
diseases and the tropical heat (their prefer-
ence for seldom-washed wool clothes didn’t
help matters). Recently restored, there are
plans for shops and cafes that take advantage
of this prime waterfront site.National Museum MUSeUM
(%223 2051; Church St; adult/child Rs 300/150;
h9am-5pm Tue-Sat) The National Museum
is housed in a perfectly realised 1686 Dutchbuilding. The museum has displays of tradi-
tional masks, information on the lace-making
process, a few examples of the luxury items
that once passed through the port, and reli-
gious items, including a relic casket.1 Ne w Tow n
Although the Fort rightfully gets most of the
attention, Galle’s new town is also worth a
stroll. Shops and markets are hives of activity
throughout the day. Havelock Place, near the
railway station, is attracting interesting busi-
nesses that can’t afford the ever-ascending
rents inside the Fort.Dutch Market MARKeT
(Main St) Look for the Dutch Market, with
its displays of fruits and vegetables under a
300-year-old columned roof. There are other
food and spice markets along Main St, as well
as a busy row of shops that make for interest-
ing browsing.Galle International
Cricket Stadium STADiUM
(Main St) Once a racecourse for wagering Brit-
ish colonials, Galle’s cricket grounds were
established over 100 years ago. Since 1998 it
has been used for international matches; in
2010 it was the site of the legendary last ap-
pearance of Sri Lanka’s great cricket player,
Muttiah Muralitharan.2 Activities
Head to nearby Unawatuna for dive shops,
snorkelling tours and yoga studios. Unawatu-
na also has some good spas.Galle Fort Spa S PA
(%077 725 2502; 63 Pedlar St; massage per hr from
Rs 5500; h8am-6pm) A top-end spa run by the
people behind the Fortaleza hotel, you can
enjoy a range of therapies and services here,
all with top-end products, potions and lotions.T^ To ur s
oGalle Fort Walks WAlKiNG TOUR
(%077 683 8659; http://www.sriserendipity.com; Seren-
dipity Arts Cafe, 60 leyn Baan St; tours from US$25)
Author and photographer Juliet Coombe
leads fun 90-minute walking tours of the Fort.
The walks come in several themes, including
a Mystical Fort Tour, which delves into local
legends and myths; a Meet the Artists tour
(24 hours’ notice required), which introduces
you to the town’s large artist community; and
a range of culinary tours.