Galle Fort, World Heritage Site – a visitor's guide and illustrated walking tour
By Mark Thompson and Karl Steinberg
Design and layout by Adrian Cheah
Galle Fort is one of Sri Lanka’s most glorious World Heritage Sites, and it promises to retain its charms and beauty for centuries more under the careful watch of its custodians. The challenges of development and mass tourism will be great but Galle Fort has faced many dramatic changes in its history: invasions, battles, colonisation, terrorist attacks, plague and even the most devastating tsunami since Krakatoa.
The Fort and its people have survived them with a resolve and fortitude and an ability to accept and adapt to the tides of change.
It is a place where people of many races, beliefs and customs have found a gentle way of living together in peace. This resilient, forgiving and faithful approach to life is perhaps the Fort’s greatest treasure.
Walk the Fort with this illustrated guide to its major landmarks and discover the events, characters, cultures and stories of this historical and fascinating city.
The tour begins from Galle Harbour.
Contents
- Galle Harbour 6
- The Black Fort 20
- The Dutch Warehouse 28
- Court Square 44
- Hospital Street 52
- Rumassala 62
- Lighthouse 68
- Flag Rock 76
- Parawa Street 88
- Sudharmalaya Temple 96
- Dutch Prison 104
- Clock Tower 114
- Main Gate 118
- Sun Bastion 124
- New Oriental Hotel 128
- Dutch Church 132
- Queen’s House and Clan House 142
- Galle Fort Hotel 148
Map of Galle Fort 155
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Galle Fort, World Heritage Site – a visitor's guide and illustrated walking tour
By Mark Thompson and Karl Steinberg
Design and layout by Adrian Cheah
Published by Mark Thompson and Karl Steinberg, 2010
Soft cover, 158 pages
Size: 17.2 x 17.2 cm
Language: English
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Mark Thompson worked as artist manager for conductors including Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Andrew Davis. He moved to Sri Lanka in 2008 to teach and begin a career as a writer. He lives on the Rumassala Peninsula and wakes to spectacular views of Galle Fort, which have been a daily inspiration in the writing of this book.
Karl Steinberg came to Sri Lanka in 2003 after a career as an award-winning theatre and television producer/director in Asia and Australia. After co-producing live concert videos for Elton John and INXS he moved to Asia and now spends part of his year in the Fort, where he has been involved in the conservation of several historical properties.