History’s influence is unavoidable in Galle – the most perfectly preserved colonial town in Sri Lanka. The magical coastal town is essentially a simple fishing village that boats of a rich cultural heritage. Galle takes credit for having the largest remaining Fortress built by European colonizers in the whole of Asia. Galle has a vibrant town not much different from a typical Sri Lankan town, but walk through the Fort gates and you are transported back in time to a Dutch colonial era. The Galle Fort is magnificent to say the least. Built by the Dutch in 1663 to withstand enemy cannonballs, the 36-hectare fort is fundamentally an amazing collection of colonial structures and culture. It’s a World Heritage Site and the ocean lapping onto the massive ramparts add to the spectacular setting. The well-preserved stone and coral ramparts offer panoramic vistas of the ocean and red tiled rooftops of Galle Fort. A sunset on the ramparts is not to be missed.