The Galle Fort Clock Tower (Sinhala: ගාලු කොටුව ඔරලෝසු කණුව; Tamil: காலி மணிக்கூட்டுக் கோபுரம்) is located within the Galle Fort, Sri Lanka. The tower is 25.3 m in height and is said to be the tallest clock tower in the country.
History
The clock tower is said to have been erected in 1883 near the Moon Bastian of the fort to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria [(1837-1901) De Vos, 1987]. However, the inscription on the tower has the following content;
Anthonisz Clock Tower, This tower erected by public subscription to the perpetual memory of Peter Daniel Anthonisz (born in Galle) in testimony of his skill and benevolence in relieving human suffering. The clock is the gift of Samson d'Abrew Rajapakse, J.P., of Kosgoda MDCCCLXXXIII.
Citation: Lewis, 1913
Peter Daniel Anthonisz (1822-1903) was a burgher doctor who was the first Sri Lankan to obtain an M.R.C.P. and F.R.C.S.
References
1) De Vos, A., 1987. A monument of dual parentage: the preservation of the historic city centre of Galle, Sri Lanka. International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). VIII General Assembly. pp.23-30.
2) Lewis, J. P., 1913. List of inscriptions on tombstones and monuments in Ceylon, of historical or local interest with an obituary of persons uncommemorated: Colombo. p.192.
Attribution
1) SL Galle Fort asv2020-01 img13 by A.Savin is licensed under the Free Art License 1.3
