Sri Lanka's oldest light station, a whitewashed tower standing above the palms at the southern tip of Galle Fort.

Overview

The picturesque Galle Lighthouse is one of the most photographed spots inside the fort, framed by coconut palms and the fort walls with the Indian Ocean beyond. A small beach and the Meeran Jumma Mosque sit just alongside, and the ramparts here are a favourite sunset gathering place. The tower itself is not open to the public but the surroundings are free to enjoy.

History

A lighthouse has stood at Galle since 1848, making it Sri Lanka's oldest light station; the present 26.5 m tower was rebuilt in 1939 after the original was destroyed by fire, and it is operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.