Facing the well-renowned Galle Lighthouse, the majestic white structure was built in 1904 by Ahamed Haji Ismail. It is built over an Islamic prayer space believed to have existed for over 300 years. Little is known about this ancient space, except that it may have been made by Muslim Traders in the area who took advantage of the ships that visited the ancient port of Galle.
There are two entrances to the Galle Fort; one is the Main Gate, the other is the Old Gate through a warehouse building. The relief panel above the gate has the date 1669 and the initials of Dutch East India Company (the letters “VOC”, which stands for Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie). The inscription is flanked by the carvings of two lions, and a rooster between them..
The Dutch Reformed Church actuated on 4th July,1752 is an important historical construction situated in Galle Fort. The construction work of this building was carried on under the supervision of Mr. Abraham Antonius the superintendent of the carpenters who were engaged in ship building at the Galle harbour. This Church bas built at the expense of Mr. Casparis Jong, Galle Commandeer as a thanks offering to God in celebration of the birth of a daughter to his daughter who had that child after a long time. His daughter Adriana Johana was christened in this Church on 24th August, 1755.This Church is built on a cross shaped base according to the architecture in building Dutch Churches. Therefore, this church in known as “Cross Church” (Kruiskerk in Dutch). The gable at the front of this building made in a pattern, which is not seen in any other synchronous building, is a salient feature.
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