Galle is a city and port in southwestern Sri Lanka and the capital of the Southern Province.
According to historical sources, Galle was called “Tarshish” in ancient times. It is said that King Solomon exported precious gemstones and ivory from Sri Lanka from here. The city was a significant trading hub where Persian, Greek, Roman, Arab, Malay, and Indian merchants conducted their business. Until the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505, the city bore the name “Gimhathitha”.
In 1640, the Portuguese were replaced by the Dutch. By 1663, they had built the massive granite Fort of Galle (now a UNESCO World Heritage site) – the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European colonial powers.
In 1796, the city was captured by the British. During British rule, Galle lost its importance as a port city because the new rulers favored the expansion of the port of Colombo.
Today, Galle has a developed food industry (especially fish processing), as well as glass and textile industries. The city is one of the most important tourist centers in Sri Lanka. In addition to the Fort of Galle, the most significant sights include St. Mary’s Cathedral (built by Jesuits) as well as numerous Hindu and Buddhist temples.
03.07.2026 
