Galle National Museum

National Museum of Galle
The National Museum of Galle, Sri Lanka is one of the Museums Administered by the Department of National Museums. It has been established in an old Dutch building located in the Galle Fort (Abeyawardana, 2004; Embuldeniya & Karunarathna, 2019).

History
The building which houses the present museum was constructed around 1656 (or 1686) as the house for a commander or a similar high official (Abeyawardana, 2004; Embuldeniya & Karunarathna, 2019; Rambukwella, 2014). During the Dutch period, it was used as an armoury for the Dutch garrison at the fort (Ranchagoda, 2015).

The building was later converted into a museum and was declared open to the public on 31 March 1986 by the Department of National Museums (Embuldeniya & Karunarathna, 2019; Rambukwella, 2014). A part of the museum building is said to have been destroyed during the construction of the New Oriental Hotel (present Amangalla Hotel) nearby (Abeyawardana, 2004).

Artefacts
Archaeological and anthropological objects related to the Southern region such as traditional wooden mask carvings, a collection of Beeralu laces and ornamental objects made up of turtle shells are exhibited in this museum (Embuldeniya & Karunarathna, 2019). They also include artefacts such as brass ware, Dutch items, copies of ancient paintings, ivory carvings, masks and household items (Rambukwella, 2014).

National Museum of Galle National Museum of Galle
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Attribution

References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Ruhuna: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-575-073-4. p.21.
2) Embuldeniya, P., Karunarathna, K.G.M., 2019. Significance of developing museums in Sri Lanka as tourist attractions: with special reference to national museums. EPRA International Journal of Research and Development. Vol. IV. Issue 2. pp.14-21.
3) Rambukwella, M.W.C.N.K., 2014. Heritage representation in culturally diverse societies: a case study of the Colombo National Museum in Sri Lanka (Doctoral dissertation, School of Museum Studies). p.403.
4) Ranchagoda, T. O., 2015. Pauranika Sthana Ha Smaraka: Galla Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. ISBN:955-9159-53-4. pp.55-56.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 15 August 2022

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