National Museum Of Galle - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 1 km from Galle Railway Station, the Galle National Museum is a museum situated inside the Galle Fort in Sri Lanka. Also called Galle National Museum, it is one of the national museums of Sri Lanka and among the top places to visit in Galle.

The National Museum of Galle is housed in the oldest remaining Dutch building in the Galle Fort. It is a single storey colonnaded Dutch building built in the year 1656 as the commissariat store for the Dutch garrison and is subsequently served as a billiards room for the adjoining New Oriental Hotel (now the Amangalla Hotel). The building was renovated and converted into a museum by the Department of National Museums in 1986.

Galle National Museum displays a wide range of archaeological and anthropological objects in s three galleries. The first gallery contains collections relating to the ancient village life including instruments used in cottage industries like Dutch lace crafting bobbins, traditional wooden mask carving, and collection of ornamental objects made up of turtle shells. The second gallery is dedicated to the colonial past of Sri Lanka that features artifacts and exhibits from the Portuguese, Dutch and British periods including coins, period furniture, weapons, and costumes.

The third gallery, the 'Sri Lanka China Friendship Gallery', was opened in 2013 and is dedicated to the historical and archeological evidence of trade relations between China and Sri Lanka, with displays on the Chinese Buddhist monk Faxian and the 14th Century Fleet Admiral Zheng He.

One can also visit the Dutch Reformed Church, also known as De Groote Kerk, located just beside the National Museum. Built by the Dutch in 1755, it is the oldest Protestant church and is still in use. This colonial building houses interesting relics as a testament to its long histories, such as an organ, pulpit, and stunning stained glasswork. This church was paved with the tombstones of Old Dutch Cemetery. Outside, engraved stone tablets surround the church's tranquil gardens.

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM, Closed on Sundays, Mondays and on Public Holidays

Entry: LKR. 20 for Locals, LKR. 300 for Foreign Adult & LKR. 150 for Foreign Child