Discovering Fort and Pettah in Colombo

Unveiling Colombo’s Timeless Treasures

 A Journey through Fort and Pettah...

 The Macan Marker Building is located at Sir Baron Jayatilaka Mawatha in Colombo Fort, Sri Lanka. Lloyd's Building, Whiteways Building
are Left side at Jayathilaka Mawatha and The Grand Oriental Hotel in the right side of image located at York street.

The neighborhoods of Colombo Fort and Pettah in Sri Lanka's capital showcase a rich blend of history, culture, and architecture. Colombo Fort, originally established by the Portuguese, features remnants of Dutch and British colonial influence. Its three-mile-long rampart reflects European architectural styles, serving as a testament to successive powers. Adjacent to the fort, Pettah is a bustling commercial hub. While modern development has altered much of Pettah, hidden gems still evoke its past. Together, these neighborhoods tell the vibrant story of Colombo.

The Old Dutch Hospital

The Dutch Hospital, stands as the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area, dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. Originally constructed as a hospital by the Dutch, it has since transformed into a heritage building and a vibrant shopping and dining precinct. The architecture reflects seventeenth-century Dutch colonial influences, with thick walls, massive teak beams, and charming courtyards.

                

Hospital Street                                                                                    

Hospital Street in Colombo Fort, surrounded by the aura of Sri Lanka’s colonial past, is the city’s quaintest street. Just steps away, the open courtyard of the Dutch Hospital Precinct adds to the liveliness. Hospital Street hosts street food festivals, jazz nights, art exhibitions, and cultural shows, twinkling with lights and vibrant energy.

Colombo Fort Old Clocktower Lighthouse 

Stands as a historic landmark in Colombo.  Although no longer operational as a lighthouse, now serves as a clock tower. Located at the junction of Chatham Street and Janadhipathi Mawatha (formerly Queens Road).

  

Lighthouse viewed from Janadhipathi Mawatha

Colombo Galbokka Lighthouse

Situated at Galbokka Point south of the Port of Colombo, the cylindrical tower offers a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean from 50 meters above sea level. Although no longer operational as a lighthouse, it remains a prominent landmark in Colombo city.

Sambodhi Chaithya

Sambodhi Chaithya is a huge bell-shaped Buddhist stupa in Colombo Harbour, Sri Lanka. Unlike most stupas, it has the distinction of standing on two massive diagonally interlocking arches, allowing the shrine to be seen from out at sea.

              

The Central Point - Economic History Museum

The Central Point Building located at 54 Chatham Street, Colombo Fort.  It was originally constructed in 1911 and served as the Colombo head office of a global insurance company. It is significant for its Greco-Roman architectural style, a circular glass dome, and the tallest chandelier in Asia. as Greco-Roman architectural style, a circular glass dome, and the tallest chandelier in Asia.

         

YMBA Building is on the left side and Gaffoor Building is on the right side of Main Street.

The Old Parliament Building viewed from Slvar memorial roundabout

The impressive facades of several iconic buildings located on Sir Baron Jayathilake Mawatha are as follows: Lankem Plantations House, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and Gaffoor Building.

Kayman's Gate - Dutch Bell Tower

Kayman’s Gate Bell Tower, located at the intersection of Main Street and Fourth Cross Street in Pettah, Built by the Portuguese in 1554. During Colombo’s Portuguese era, Kayman’s Gate was the east entrance to Colombo Fort, from Pettah. The bell tower, rebuilt during the Dutch period,   it remains an intriguing symbol of Colombo’s colonial past and its history of foreign occupiers

Khan Clock Tower

The Clock Tower was built in the early 20th century by the family of Framjee Bhikhajee Khan. It lies at the beginning of Main Street of Colombo which intersects with Sir Baron Jayathilaka Mawatha, Malwatta Road and Abdul Carder Road.

The clock tower also provided a working water fountain, but this no longer functions. it is roughly four stories high and is situated on a landscaped roundabout.

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque 

The Red Mosque, also known as Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque is one of the most iconic and historically significant landmarks in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This striking architectural marvel is a symbol of unity and tolerance, bringing together various communities and cultures that have coexisted in Sri Lanka for centuries.

                                  

                              

       

   

       

The Old Town Hall Building and Museum

Town Hall was built in 1873, designed by the British architect J G Smither. Located at the end of Main Street in Pettah. it is a neo-gothic-type Dutch building with its predominance of pointed arches and cast iron columns.      

           

              

After a long period of disuse, the building was renovated in 1980 and in 1984, the adjoining building was converted to a museum of the Town Hall. The renovated Edinburgh Hall is now converted into a marketplace and rented out to street hawkers by the Municipal Council.

 

Old Town Hall Market

Ceylon Technical College

 

The Ceylon Technical College, established in 1893, holds the distinction of being Sri Lanka’s oldest technical college.  it occupied a renovated coffee store near the Ceylon Government Railway Terminal building in Colombo. The red and white brick-decorated college building bears the architectural features of a Neo-Renaissance building