Galle, a holiday destination

1. http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-1872546-galle2/

2. Galle is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the administrative capital of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and the district capital of Galle District. Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions.

3. The beautiful Galle Fort, designated as a World Heritage Site is one of the town’s most distinctive attractions

4. Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage

5. Sri Sudarmalaya Buddhist temple

6. Sri Sudarmalaya Buddhist temple which was apparently built on the site of the old Portuguese Roman Catholic church in 1889

7. Peace Pagoda east of Galle, a gift from Japan

8. Peace Pagoda

9. Galle Lighthouse is an offshore Lighthouse operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. This is Sri Lanka's oldest light station dating back to 1848, but the original lighthouse was destroyed by fire in 1934. The light station is within the walls of the ancient Galle fort, a UNESCO world heritage site and well known tourist attraction, making this the country's most often visited lighthouse.

10. The Southern part of Galle Fort is home to a large Muslim community. The Meeran Jumma Masjid - big and white, reminds a bit of a church rather than a mosque. It is situated at the end of Church Street within the old Arab Quarter. The mosque was rebuilt in 1904 where the original stood from 1750s. The mosque is actively in use.

11. Muslim boys

12. The Meeran Jumma Masjid

17. Amangalla is a luxury 5-star franchise hotel belonging to the international group of Aman Resorts, located in Galle, built within the premises of the heritage Galle Fort, the 17th-century Dutch fort, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is just north of the Galle International Stadium and roundabout.

18. The oldest part of the hotel dates to 1684, and the complex was completed in 1715. It was known as the New Oriental Hotel for 140 years from 1865. It became Amangalla resort complex only in 2005. Aman means "peace" and galla is the Sinhalese name for Galle

19. Center of Galle city

20. Center of Galle city

21. Faculty of Engineering, Galle

22. Marine walk and Galle harbor across the bay

23. Bank of Ceylon

24. On 26 December 2004 the city was devastated by the massive Boxing Day Tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake that occurred a thousand miles away, off the coast of Indonesia. Thousands were killed in the city alone. A long stretch of Sri Lanka’s coast was devastated by these killer waves, with more than 40,000 dead and staggering 2.5 million people displaced. Although 1,600km from the epicenter, the waves struck with huge force and swept inland as far as 5 kilometers. Waves as high as six meters had crashed into coastal villages, sweeping away people, cars and even a train with 1700 passengers. It was the worst human disaster in Sri Lanka’s history. One of the worst hit areas was Galle, the capital of Southern Srilanka.

25. Previously known as the Esplanade, the Galle International Stadium was one of the most picturesque stadiums in the world before tsunami destroyed it completely in 2004. Many international organizations and individuals are pushing towards the rebuilding of this once beautiful stadium. Shane Warne, who achieved his 500th wicket here, has been instrumental in seeing the relief work go through. The ground is situated near the Galle Fort and the venue has the Indian Ocean visible on both sides of the ground. After being rebuilt, the ground reopened for the Third Test of England's tour of Sri Lanka in October 2007. The Galle Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for the hosts and Muttiah Muralidaran has an outstanding record at this

26. Galle Dutch Fort cricket ground (Galle International Stadium)

27. Kachchiwatta temple Galle The Kachchiwatta Ancient Buddhist Temple inaugurated in 1779, the center of Galle city, the capital of Southern region in Sri Lanka.

28. The Kachchiwatta Ancient Buddhist Temple

29. The annual perahara (procession) of the Ancient Kachchiwa Temple, patronized by the royalty of the yester era a rare Sri Lankan treat to the seething eyes & the simmering minds.

32. Text : Internet Pictures: Nicoleta Leu Internet Sanda Foi oreanuş Copyright: All the images belong to their authors Presentation: Sanda Foi oreanuş www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda Sound: Nil Mahanel - Deepika Priyadharshani peiris