Initially built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, the Jaffna Dutch Fort is a historic Fort in Jaffna and one of Sri Lanka’s well-preserved colonial forts. The Dutch captured this fort and expanded it into a splendid fortification. After the Dutch lost the fort to the British, it was used as a fortress and fortification until the island’s independence in 1948. A famous attraction of the North, the Jaffna Fort is popular with visitors who roam the grounds, witness its centuries-old ramparts, and take magical sunset photos and amazing views of Jaffna.
The second largest fort built in Sri Lanka, its size and grandeur indicate the strategic importance of the area recognised by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British on this fort. Situated by the lagoon on the southern side of Jaffna’s peninsula, the fort was first built in 1619 and later expanded by the Dutch in the late 17th and 18th centuries.
The fort has a five-sided inner defence wall consisting of thick, tall ramparts and bastions and a moat protecting the fortress. The architecture distinguishes it from the Galle Fort, a functioning town. On the other hand, the Jaffna Fort was purely built for protection and military purposes.
A popular place for sunset photography, visitors like to climb the thick rampart walls and take photographs of the lagoon, the sunset and the Jaffna city.
One of the few buildings not extensively damaged during the island’s civil war, this also was the former northern retreat and residence of Sri Lankan Presidents.
The execution tower, The Hangman’s Tower, is in the centre of the fort. Although damaged during the war, its arch-like structure can still be viewed.
The thick rampart walls, bastion, and moat are made of coral and limestone to protect this fortification from hostile forces. The outer rampart has five tunnels built into the structure
Jaffna Fort
Main Street, Jaffna
Hours: The temple is open daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tickets: Free Entrance (Rates Current as of October 2024)