Proc. of the Second Intl. Conf.

on Advances in Management, Economics and Social Science - MES 2015

Historical Significance of Galle fort during the Dutch period in Sri Lanka.

S.A. Dilhani, Lecturer, Department of History, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Galle which is situated in the coast line belongs to the wet zone when considered in terms of
geographical features. Galle fort expands up to a land area of about 92 acres bordered by sea
from three directions. In 1974 Archeological Department of Sri Lanka named Galle fort as an
archeological reserve and In 1983 UNESCO inscribed it as a world cultural heritage site.

It held an importance in respect of east and west foreign trade because of Galle is surrounded by
the sea from three directions and the sometime situated a useful natural harbour. After the 16th
century A.D Galle was governed by Portuguese, Dutch and British which resulted with their
influence by way of cultural and religious environment.

In 1505, the Portuguese arrived unintentionally in Galle, their fleet having been driven to shelter
by a storm. In 1602 Dutch East India Trading Company was established amalgamating all the
other trading companies in Netherland. Objective of this company was to maintain a monopoly
of trade in the east and also to constructed fortresses in the countries under their ruling. They
paid their special attention towards Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) because it was a central point for
trading activities. Although Dutch tried to maintain relationship with the Kandyan kings several
times, it was fulfilled only in 1638. It was through an agreement signed between Dutch and king
Rajasinghe II, the Kandyan king. (B.N.R. Jayasena, 2007, 177P)

In 1587, Galle was captured by the Portuguese and constructed a temporary fortress. But in 1640
Dutch took charge of Galle and became their administrative center until they capture Colombo.
As Dutch wanted to have Galle as a secured place, they built up the Galle fort on a strong and

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 Proc. of the Second Intl. Conf. on Advances in Management, Economics and Social Science - MES 2015
Copyright © Institute of Research Engineers and Doctors, USA .All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-63248-046-0 doi: 10.15224/ 978-1-63248-046-0-139

secured foundation. The moat around fort build by Portuguese as a security measure was further
expanded by the Dutch during their rule.

Dutch were improved the Portuguese defenses but closely followed their pattern. The old
bastions were much enlarge and reinforced the sun bastion above the eastern causeway, the
moon near the centre and the star on the west. (R.K. de silva, 1988, 158p)

The main entrance to Galle fort was called the “Sea Gate” is now re-constructed facing the Galle
harbor. This sea gate, which bears the coat of arms of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), a
rooster crest and the date 1687 was once the main gate. It opens to the wharfs where the most
valuable crop for the European market was shipped. (Ronald lewcok, 2005, 181p) There is a
tunnel running towards the sea in the fort. There is a plaque on the facet of the granite wall of the
fort facing the sea, figures denoting 1669 could be seen. It could be assumed that this fort may
have been constructed in the year 1669 A.D. or either side of the plaque two lion figures and in
the center upper portion a figure of cock and the official symbol “VOC” could be seen.

The fort is constructed with large cut stones while the main gate is made up of semicircular
metal (stone). On either side of the sea gate there are two storied warehouses with a staircase to
reach the upstairs. Their main purpose is to store cinnamon in the warehouse. The warehouse
named "Pack huis" is presently use as the naval museum. These buildings are constructed as
narrow – long constructions with lines of Doric Pillars.(Aluthwatta, 2008, 33p)

Dutch built up a hospital in Galle fort premises. Only army officials and Europeans were treated
there. The staff consisted of a senior surgeon, a surgeon and a trainee medical officer. A monthly
payment was made to the medical staff. As there was an epidemic of small-pox, for the first time,
an experiment of immunization against small-pox was carried out in Galle hospital.(Uragoda,
.1987, 211p)

Another special building which depicts Dutch architectural features is the protestant church
constructed by Dutch architect named Abraham Anthonisz in 1751. It is said to have been
created by a commander named De Jone when his wife was blessed with a daughter. After
completing the construction of the church commander De Jone had baptized his daughter at this

232
 Proc. of the Second Intl. Conf. on Advances in Management, Economics and Social Science - MES 2015
Copyright © Institute of Research Engineers and Doctors, USA .All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-63248-046-0 doi: 10.15224/ 978-1-63248-046-0-139

church in 1755 and (R.K. de silva, 1988, 166p) a plaque can be seen on the wall in memory of
this incident. This church is constructed under the Baroque and Rococo architectural patterns.

Another speciality of this church is that there are large underground graves in a corner of the
aisle and in the compound of the church and also there is a secret tunnel leading towards the sea
of which the entrance is blocked with cement at the present. Bodies of the officers and their
family members Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie - VOC) are
interred in the underground vaults of the church.

Another special feature of the church is that there are no pillars in the church hall to bear the wait
of the roof. Entire weight of the roof depends on the wall plates of the four numbers of walls.
Arch shaped stained glass windows and projecting illuminations openings of the upper portion of
the church provider light for the inner part of the church. (R.K. de silva, 1988, 167p)

Caribbean blue colour was been applied on the semicircular ceiling while the heaven is signified
through star composite pictures. Architectural style which was popular in the 17th century in
Holland was Corinthian patterns. In most of the Dutch buildings in Sri Lanka Corinthian pattern
associated with Baroque and Rococo patterns structures could be seen. The other Corinthian
pattern that is available is classical renaissance Corinthian order of architecture. They are with
triangular shape and acute lines.

But Baroque and Rococo Corinthian patterns feature with curved lines and complex shapes. On
the top of the Corinthians and the on the lower part and on either sides, models of a vase, a sheet,
a ball, a see shell or a conch shell could be seen as a decoration. Such decorations could be seen
in the Dutch church in Galle fort.

In the fort premises number of official residencies of Dutch governors and the other Dutch
officials could be seen. Retired Dutch officials have preferred to stay in Sri Lanka without
returning to their home land. Due to this reason it caused the expansion of Dutch architecture in
Sri Lanka further. Ordinary Dutch houses were constructed according the popular style existed in
the 16th and 17th centuries in Dutch village areas. They are called “Villas”.

In Dutch houses ventilation systems have been made with decorated windows. These houses
consist of higher verandas, buttress avoid sea breeze destructions to walls etc. mostly thecolumns
233
 Proc. of the Second Intl. Conf. on Advances in Management, Economics and Social Science - MES 2015
Copyright © Institute of Research Engineers and Doctors, USA .All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-63248-046-0 doi: 10.15224/ 978-1-63248-046-0-139

of these houses are constructed according to Greek Doric style. (Ronald lewcok, 2005, 186-
187pp)

Conclusion

In most of the ancient buildings in coastal areas in the western region, Dutch architectural styles
could be observed. During the Dutch and even afterwards construction of buildings, have gone
through the Dutch architectural influence. Buildings that are existing in the Galle fort have
renovated by the patronage of Netherland government reserving the ancient architectural values.
All the building available in the Galle fort exhibits the grandeur of Dutch architectural
technology.

References:

1. R.G Anthonisz, The Dutch In Ceylon, Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 2003.

2. R.K Silva, W.G.M Beumer, Illustration and Views of Dutch Ceylon (1602-1796)
Serendib Publications, London, 1998.

3. Ronlad Lewcok, Barbara Sansoni and Laki Senanayake, The Architecture of An Island,
Vishva Leka, Colombo, 2005.

4. P.M Alutwatta, Dutch Architecture In Sri Lanka, 2008.

5. Dutch Furniture in Ceylon, National Museum of Ceylon,1969.

6. B.N.R Jayasena, (Trans :) True and Exact Description of the Great Island of Ceylon,
(Phillipus Baldieus,) Sooriya Publisher, 2007.

7. Uragoda, C.G. A medicine history of Sri Lanka, medical Association , Colombo.1987.

8. Cordiner, J. A Description of Ceylon. Thisara Prakashakayo, Dehiwala.1983.

9. Pieris, P.E. The Dutch power in Ceylon, 1602-1670, curzo press, London 1973

10. Ferguson,D. The earliest Dutch visits to Ceylon. Asian Educational services, new
delhi,1998

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