National Museum Galle

The National Museum of Galle, also known as the Galle National Museum, is a cultural treasure nestled within the historic Galle Fort in Sri Lanka. Let me take you on a virtual tour of this fascinating institution:

• Location: Situated on Church Street in Galle, this museum resides in the oldest remaining Dutch building within the fort. The structure, constructed in 1656, originally served as the commissariat store for the Dutch garrison at the fort¹.

• History and Renovation: After its military use, the building transformed into a billiards room for the adjacent New Oriental Hotel (now the Amangalla Hotel). In 1986, the Department of National Museums renovated it and officially opened the museum to the public on 31st March.

• Collections:

  1. Portuguese, Dutch, and British Periods: The museum houses a limited collection of exhibits from these historical eras. It provides insights into the rich heritage of the region.
  2. Cottage Industries: The first gallery showcases artifacts related to the area’s cottage industries, including turtle shell jewelry manufacturing, Beeralu lace weaving, and traditional wooden mask carving.
  3. Dutch Period Furniture and Weaponry: The second gallery features a collection of Dutch period furniture and weapons.
  4. Sri Lanka China Friendship Gallery: Opened in 2013, this gallery celebrates the historical and archaeological evidence of trade relations between China and Sri Lanka. It highlights figures like the Chinese Buddhist monk Faxian (337–422 CE) and the 14th-century Fleet Admiral Zheng He (1371–1433).

If you ever find yourself in Galle, don’t miss the chance to explore this cultural gem! 🏛️🌟