Explore National Maritime Museum

The most striking feature of the National Maritime Museum is its historic building—a seventeenth-century warehouse constructed by the Dutch. This elongated structure is set into the fortifications overlooking Galle’s old harbor. Designed with massive walls and sturdy columns, it was built to endure even direct artillery attacks. Inside, the museum displays a collection of objects that reflect Sri Lanka’s maritime past. An original gateway passes through the building, once serving as the main entrance to the Galle Fort. Above this gateway are the coats of arms from two colonial powers: the Dutch emblem on the inner side and the British emblem facing the sea.