This colonial structure was built in the year 1672 when Sri Lanka was under the reign of the Dutch. Today what remains of this once a magnificent fort is only the ruins that bring back memories of a colonized era. Yet the large Dutch gate with the date of its original construction inscribed to it is still standing strong on its very own premises giving the opportunity for many people to witness a structure of a bygone history. Even though Negombo is an unsightly city there are some ruins and buildings that belong to a few decades back and still are very beautiful buildings made significant with its ancient architecture boasting the unique styles of the Dutch and Portuguese.
Negombo is famous for its beaches and lagoons. Even the fort is built not far from this pretty beach of Negombo. The present remains of the fort were the ones the Dutch built after the Portuguese fort was shattered by a canon during the Dutch cordon in 1644. The Dutch built it in the shape of a pentagon even though it stood on only four walls and the fifth rampart was never built. The specialty of this fort is that it was built on a narrow piece of land that separated the lagoon and the sea. The access to the gate was through a drawbridge and was bounded with moats. The governor at that time illustrated the Negombo stronghold as a ‘Fine defensible structure’ when he toured in 1720. However the painter named Haydt who worked on the building during 1744 said that ‘it could have been built somewhat more durably’.
Later many improvements like a watch tower, a bell tower and a wooden pole were also added to this wonderful structure. This fort was later used as a prison by the British and it’s only the ruins of it that still remains. If any visitors to Sri Lanka are planning on vacationing to Negombo a fine hotel in Negombo would give you a handsome treat. A splendid and a luxury Negombo hotel is the Club Hotel Dolphin which is admired by many tourists who visit Negombo.
