ICONS of Galle Fort

The Galle Fort is explored by Manori Wijesekera in a search for the iconic landmarks within this World Heritage Site - sites which are favourites of both visitors and residents alike.
The historic Galle Fort has been the centre of attention for any visitor to Galle for centuries. Built by the Dutch, beginning around 1663, the 36-ha walled Fort is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the few which has a thriving, vibrant, present-day buzz. 	In 1505, a Portuguese fleet bound for the Maldives was blown off course and took refuge in the natural harbour at Galle. Almost a century later, around 1589, they began building a small Fort here, and named it Santa Cruz. But this was destroyed when the Dutch took over in 1640. Galle was a major commercial port during the Dutch reign, and the Fort provided the hub for trade, government and social life. 	Sections of the Fort have now become 'boutique' areas, with boutique hotels and stores transforming the quiet streets. Pedlar Street, in particular, has some lovely converted buildings which offer tantalising shopping experiences. As a living city, you will find shops, schools, mosques and temples, photographic studios and the like scattered among the narrow streets. 	No matter how much you read about the Fort, there's nothing like experiencing it for yourself. In this article, we introduce you to seven special icons within the Galle Fort, and we invite you to wander about this city within a city, to discover its charm and its lively energy for yourself. The Old Gate While many people prefer to enter through the Main Gate (also called City Gate, built by the British), the most stunning approach is definitively via the Old Fort Gate, built by the Dutch. It's an impressive stone, brick and mortar gate, with a British coat of arms on the outside. On the inside, you find the letters VOC (for Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie or Dutch East India Company) inscribed in stone, with the date 1669, flanked by two Lions and with a Cock on top. 	On either side of this gate are the two Dutch Pakhuis or warehouses, dated 1671-1676, still very much in use. The Kachcheri building The present Kachcheri building was formerly a Dutch Hospital, and the street facing the building still remains Hospital Street. It features distinct Dutch architectural elements that make interesting study. 	Next door to the Kachcheri lies 'Akersloot' which became the Master Attendant's Bungalow during the British period, where a telescope and eight mounted guns stood in the garden facing the harbour. A fine breadfruit tree growing in the garden is said to be the first of its kind planted in the island by the Dutch who introduced the breadfruit to Sri Lanka
