Kalpitiya Fort

🏰 Kalpitiya Fort – A Coastal Legacy of Colonial Power
📍 Location: Kalpitiya, North Western Province, Sri Lanka
🗓️ Built: 1667–1676 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC)

🕰️ Early History & Portuguese Era (1544–1659)

Originally known as Kav Putti, Kalpitiya was a thriving Arab trading hub due to its proximity to the sea and the Puttalam Lagoon. In 1544, the Portuguese invaded the area and renamed it Kardiv Island, establishing a military garrison and granting control to the Jesuits, who built a small chapel.

⚔️ Dutch Conquest & Fort Construction (1659–1676)

In the 17th century, King Rajasinghe II of Kandy invited the Dutch to oust the Portuguese from Kalpitiya. The Dutch successfully captured it in 1659, but rather than returning it to the Kandyan kingdom, they began building their own stronghold—Kalpitiya Fort, which was completed in 1676.

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) used the fort to control regional trade routes, particularly to regulate the influence of Muslim traders and manage the cinnamon trade. They also constructed a canal network linking Puttalam, Negombo, and Colombo to transport goods efficiently.

🧱 Architecture of Kalpitiya Fort

Kalpitiya Fort is a square-shaped fortress, built using coral and limestone sourced locally. Its architecture uniquely blends military strength with deceptive design, possibly inspired by political necessity.

Key Features:

🔰 Four bastions (one at each corner) with guard posts
🏰 Two smaller bastions facing the lagoon
🚪 Single entrance with a church-like façade, complete with a pediment and belfry
🛕 Structures inside include a chapel, barracks, dining hall, commander’s residence, and a prison
🌊 Two secret tunnels (now sealed): one to the sea, another to the Dutch Reformed Church (400m away)
📜 Legend says the Dutch disguised the fort entrance as a church to gain approval from King Rajasinghe II, who had only permitted a church to be built.

 British Rule & Modern History (1795–Present)

The British captured the fort in 1795 and used it for military purposes until 1859. After that, it fell into neglect until being reactivated as a Sri Lanka Navy base during the Sri Lankan Civil War.

🏝️ Kalpitiya Fort Today

Now open to the public, Kalpitiya Fort stands as a preserved monument of colonial ambition, architecture, and maritime power. Visitors can explore the fort’s remnants and enjoy panoramic views of the Puttalam Lagoon, all while experiencing a unique piece of Sri Lanka’s layered history.

✨ Travel Tip:

Combine your visit to the fort with Kalpitiya’s dolphin watching, kite surfing, or a boat ride through the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary for a perfect blend of history and nature.

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