Colombo's Hidden History
Sum up
Walk through the streets of Colombo, hear of tales from times gone by and witness the changing landscape of the island’s commercial hub. Colombo old and new comes alive in this fascinating walk.
Duration: 3 hour
Best Time: Year-round
Additional Information
Thanks to its large harbour and an ideal position along trade routes, including the famous Silk Route, Colombo has attracted many traders and merchants over the years. Now this genial and compact city is bursting with renewed vigour, its colonial-influenced skyline increasingly joined by a collection of modern high rises and the vaulting ambition present apparent in the development of Port City, a man-made extension of the commercial business district. Described by some as Sri Lanka’s Dubai, it is built on 2.6 sq kms of land reclaimed with Chinese involvement from the Indian Ocean. An island that has been a hub of trade for more than 2,000 years is on the verge of a new dawn.
But all that is for the future. It is traditional Colombo that will be the focus of your attention as your host takes you past many a historical site and uncovers memory in a city which is a unique combination of disorganised clamour and peaceful contemplation. Spend a moment at the Kayman’s Gate, which used to be an entrance to the old Colombo Fort and also the site for public hangings. Witness the unmistakeably changing face of this city, as old buildings are converted into newer projects, concealing precious history beneath. As your walk draws to an end this shift becomes much more apparent as you see the modern development of what used to be Sri Lanka’s first surgical ward during colonial times.
It is the same roads that you would be led through as your host takes you past many a historical site and memory hidden within the hurried pace of life amongst the barely organized arrangement of stores. Spend a moment at the Kayman’s Gate, which used to be an entrance to the old Colombo Fort and also the site for public hangings. Wander along and witness the unmistakeably changing face of this city, as old buildings are converted into newer projects, concealing precious history beneath. As your walk draws to an end this shift becomes much more apparent coming face to face with what used to be Sri Lanka’s first surgical ward during colonial times.
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