Galle Fort History_

• The Portuguese Period

The history of the fortified city of Galle starts with the arrival of the Portuguese in the island of Sri Lanka at the beginning of the 16 th century.

In 1505 a group of Portuguese sailors led by Don Lorenzo de Almeida, son of Francesco de Almeida arrived in the island. They built the first fortification in Galle on a cliff, jutting out into the sea. It was called the Swart Bastion or the Black Fort.

Reference is made to Galle by Joard Ribrow in his book on Sri Lanka as follows :-

“The fortress in Galle had been built on a land which is flanked by the sea on two sides and lined by rocks on the north. On the south the harbor was protected by a fence with spikes on top. The fortress comprised three bastions and in front a protective moat with a draw bridge to enter the Fort. Protection to the fortress was limited to the above elements.”

Galle Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, Sri Lanka.