Kalpitiya Dutch Fort

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Kalpitiya being strategically located in a peninsula close to Puttalam was a very important trade post for both Dutch and Portuguese. Both the Dutch and the Portuguese built fortresses to guard the area in order to control trade in the Kandyan kingdom. The fortress constructed by the Dutch still stands and is in good condition. 


Currently the fort is under the control of Sri Lankan Navy and permission to enter the fort can be obtained from the Navy camp. They provide a guide to enter the fort. Except for few additions the fort is still as the Dutch built it.


The fort was built by the Dutch designed in 1666 AD & completed in 1676 AD using locally available limestone and coral reefs. However the archway has been built using a yellow color stones brought from Netherlands. The fort has a Outlook of a church. This was to decieve the local rulers that this is a fortified Church.


The fort has only one entrance facing the lagoon. The door of the entrance also built by the Dutch still stands today. VOC symbol is placed above the entrance while two elephants depicting strength and a palm tree for the fertility of the region. Two tunnels extending from the fort to the sea and the nearby Dutch church however is currently blocked.


Gables inside the fort also resebles a Church further to support the Dutch tactic of depicting the fort to be a Church.


The fort was under the Dutch occupation untill 1795 when it was handed over to British.













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