Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 to Day 03
Day 1
After arriving in Sri Lanka, you will be taken to the coastal town of Negombo, north of the airport to stay at a Jetwing Hotel designed by famed architect Geoffrey Bawa. Negombo is a quaint fishing town with an interesting colonial past. The British, Dutch and the Portuguese have all fought over this town as it was a lucrative source of cinnamon as it impacted the economy. But the stronger influence came from the colonizer’s historic Catholic Church – so much that the town came to be known as “Little Rome”. You can find many colonial style architectural buildings in Negombo attributing to its heavy colonial past. Today Negombo is known for its blend of religion and culture.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave to Anuradhapura via Yapahuwa. Your first stop for sightseeing will be Yapahuwa, a short lived capital of old Ceylon which is also an archeological site with influences of Chinese architecture dating back to the 13th century AD.
The citadel of Yapahuwa lies midway between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura and is built on a large granite rock that rises abruptly for almost a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands. The story of Yapahuwa Kingdom is a very short-lived one; in the 13th century king Buwanekabahu transferred the capital from Polonnaruwa to Yapahuwa in the face of South Indian Dravidian invasions bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic with him to his new kingdom. Following his death, the South Indian Pandyans invaded Sri Lanka and succeeded in capturing the Sacred Tooth Relic and subsequently abandoning the kingdom which was later inhabited by Buddhist monks and religious ascetics.
You will then continue the drive until you reach Anuradhapura, a now UNESCO World Heritage Site which was found in 377 BC and is renowned as one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and a great place to lean about the Sinhalese civilization including its culture, arts and architecture. This first established kingdom of Sri Lanka has left behind some marvelous structures of architecture which you will be visiting today.
The highlight of your tour of Anuradhapura, will be your visit to Mirisawetiya, Ruwanweliseya and Jethawanaramaya which are known as the ‘Star Tracing Stupas of Sri Lanka’. Whilst there are many great man-made structures such as pyramids present in countries like Egypt, South America, China and smaller ones in Greece, North America and the Canary Islands, the 3 stupas in Anuradhapura is unlike any other. These 3 stupas were built with precision and has a smooth finish. But the most notable aspect is that all three - Mirisawetiya, Ruwanweliseya and Jethawanaramaya – perfectly align with the 3 stars of the Orion constellation – Rigel, Al Nitak and Bellatrix. After a quick stop for lunch, you will visit the the Kuttam Pokuna and Ranmasu Uyana, 2 other notable locations in Anuradhapura and head back to the hotel to end your day.
Day 3
After breakfast the hotel, you will visit the remaining archeological sites in the Anuradhapura sacred city beginning with the Ath Pokuna (Elephant Pond) which is 159 meters in length, 52.7 meters across and 9.5 meters in depth whose water is supplied from the nearby Periyamkulama Tank through a network of underground canals which still work centuries after being built.
Next you will visit, the remains of the Rathna Prasadaya, a skyscraper built by the Abayagiriyans in the 2nd century AD to compete with the Lova Maha Prasadaya built by Maha Viharians. When Maha Viharians called their building the The Copper Palace, The Abhayagians called theirs The Jewel Palace. The size too seems to be no second to the Lova Maha Paya as the size Rathna Prasadaya can be guessed even today by the gigantic stone pillars. Until recent times, this site was called the elephant stable due to the monolithic pillars on the site. In the 8th century king Mahinda II rebuilt this on splendor scale with many storied and installed Buddha statue made out of gold. But all these treasures was plundered by South Indian Pandyans in the time of King Sena I but was recovered by King Sena II.
Your final destination for the day will the Stone Bridge – Gal Palama – that has been built over the Malwatu Oya. However only part of this bridge can be seen today. Although there was a restoration going on, it was abruptly stopped in 2001.
Post the sightseeing you will head back to your hotel which has been designed like an ancient palace combined with modern architectural aspects to make you feel like royalty of the ancient Sri Lanka for an evening of rest and relaxation.
Day 04 to Day 06
Day 4
Today you will leave for Polonnaruwa after breakfast. Once you reach your destination, you will check-in to your hotel and visit the Polonnaruwa historical site. Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the 2nd capital of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD. During your tour, you will visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya which holds 4 splendid ginormous statues of Lord Buddha in ‘upright’, ‘sedentary’ and ‘recumbent’ positions carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, King Parakramabahu’s statue, the Parakrama Samudraya and the Vatadage before heading back to your hotel for the night.
Day 5
After breakfast, you will check-out of the hotel and tour the last part of Polonnaruwa covering Thiwanka Image House built by King Parakramabahu as part of the Jethvanaramaya Complex. The building gets its name from the 3 large images of Lord Buddha which has been curved in 3 places which literally means ‘three-curved’ or ‘Thiwanka’ in Sinhalese. The Buddha statue inside the building was originally at 8 meters in height, but since the head was destroyed it now stands at 6.6 meters in height. The inside walls of the buildings are decorated with frescos showing depicting various ‘jataka stories’ – previous births of Lord Buddha before he attained enlightenment.
Next you will be visiting the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya built by King Nissankamalla which was a council chamber of the ancient king where he used to listen to ‘pirith’ – chanting of Buddhist scriptures of faith.
En route to Dambulla, we will stop at the Lankathilaka Viharaya, an ancient Buddhist temple dating back to the 14th century built by King Buwanekabahu IV with architectural designs by a South Indian architect with a mix of architectural styles from the Polonnaruwa era as well as other Dravidian and Indo-Chinese patterns. The temple has been built on natural rock and the temple premises hold inscriptions found in both Sinhalese and Tamil and holds 5 devales or ‘kovils’.
Once you reach Dambulla, you will check in at the Heritance Kandalama Hotel, a creation of the late Geoffrey Bawa. The hotel was designed a few kilometers away from the Sigiriya Rock Fortress giving patrons the unique opportunity of seeing the fortress from a distance and enjoy its spectacular view.
In the evening you will visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is a 5th century rock fortress that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be the 8th Wonder of the World due to its architectural genius and highly advanced water management system that even modern engineers cannot comprehend. The Lion Rock is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the shrub jungles of Sigiriya. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town complete with a moat, rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring at the base of the rock which are true marvels of ancient architecture. You will also have the opportunity to visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, painted with earth pigments on plaster which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
Day 6
You will be leaving for Kandy after breakfast at the hotel. On your way, we will stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers over 160 meters and holds more than 80 documented caves in the area. However, majority of the attractions are spread between 5 caves where some contain statues and painting related to Lord Buddha and his life. There is a total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Lankan kings, 4 statues of gods and goddesses including Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesh and murals covering 2100 square meters.
Once you reach Kandy, you will check-in at the Hotel Suisse which is another creation of Geoffrey Bawa and end your day with dinner and a nightcap at the hotel.
Day 07 to Day 09
Day 7
After breakfast you will be visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. The temple has to have 3 structures known as the Vedahiti Maligawa, Pattirippuwa and Aluth Maligawa and is built keeping to the Kandyan style of architecture. Majority of Kandyan architecture consists of murals on walls and stones, carvings on both stone and wood. The temple was first built by King Vimaladharmasooriya, however the structures built by him are no more. Many kings have contributed to the revamping of the building over time during their respective reigns.
After paying homage to the temple, you will have the opportunity to visit the Buddhist ritualistic ceremony which happens every day. Post that, you will proceed for luncheon with French turned Sri Lankan historian Professor Jacques Soulie. He was a former lecturer at the Peradeniya University for French language and is fluent in Sinhalese too. He will discussing with you the colonial architectural influences on the local culture and how they have been sustained throughout the many centuries that have passed by.
Afterwards you will retreat to your hotel for a relaxing night.
Day 8
Post breakfast, we will be visiting three other temples in Kandy, beginning with Gadaladeniya, a well-known tourist destination in Sri Lanka visited usually by devotees, pilgrims, history and architecture enthusiasts and nature lovers. The ancient monastery is located atop a hill in Diggala and according to the scriptures found, it is said that the temple was designed by a South Indian architect and has dagobas, an image house holding Buddha statues, frescoes and interior sculptures depicting Jataka stories, a “Makara Thorana” (dragon arch) embellished with gods like Brahma, Sathusta, Suyama and Natha, a shrine room dedicated to God Vishnu and the Gadaladeniya inscription carved on a rock.
Lankathilaka Viharaya, is a dramatic building made out of clay brick which was once a five-storied building. The temple was decorated with flowers, creepers, birds, animals and statues of gods with two pillars standing at around 116 feet in height at the entrance of the building. However, in the present day, these pillars have broken and reduced to a height of 58 feet.
The Embekke Shrine was built dedicated to the worship of Mahasen, popularly known as Kataragama Deviyo – The Lord of Kataragama whilst a local deity called Devatha Bandara is also worshiped at the site. The shrine consists of three sections, the "Sanctum of Garagha", the "Digge" (Dancing Hall) and the "Hevisi Mandapaya" (Drummers' Hall). The Drummers' Hall has drawn the attention of visitors to the site, due to its splendid wood carvings which are also considered to be some of the best examples of Sinhalese art and architecture whilst confirming that local craftsmen did not only limit themselves to stone carving.
After this tour you will head back to your hotel and relax for the rest of the day.
Day 9
On your way to Nuwara Eliya post breakfast, we will stop at the Galmaduwa Temple, an impressive building with a strange folklore and a very unique style of architecture. This temple was built with stone and has strong characteristics of Hindu architecture and is considered to be the most Hindu-looking Buddhist temple in existence. The edifice is 80 feet long and 80 feet high, with the ground floor made of stone and the upper floors made of mud bricks and granite that gets smaller the higher floors you go. Even though rituals such as offering flowers and lighting oil lamps have been performed at the temple, Galmaduwa has never been considered as an ‘ordinary’ place of worship. After touring Galmaduwa, we will resume our journey to Nuwara Eliya and check-in to your hotel, where will have the opportunity to explore the hotel and relax in the evening.
Day 10 to Day 14
Day 10
Set in the heart of the Tea Country, Nuwara Eliya is often referred to as “Little England” as it has a climate and atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Sri Lanka and even retains some feel of the ‘Old English World’. The town is filled with many buildings built during the colonial times and is also famous for horse racing and boasts an impressive golf course.
Your day will be spent visiting some of the famous landmarks in the town beginning with the Hill Club, a private gentleman’s club still living true to the old English traditions.
Next you will visit the Nuwara Eliya Post Office, a Tudor style building first built by the British in 1894. The building currently serves as the post office as well as a tourist destination by the 2012 conversion of the poster master’s living quarters to accommodate tourists.
Your third venue on today’s itinerary is the Queens Cottage, the vacationing and country residence of the President of Sri Lanka. The premises was originally built as an English country house during the late 19th century by the British Colonial administration for the Governor of Ceylon as a vacation residence. While you are visiting the premises, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the history of the building including its past governor’s during the colonial period.
Your final sightseeing will me the St. Xavier’s Church, yet another grand structure built during the British rule in colonial Ceylon – afterwards which you will head back to the hotel for dinner concluding your tour of ‘Little England’.
Day 11
The final few days of your architectural tour will be a stark contrast to the cold climate you experienced the last few days in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. But before heading for changing landscapes, you will have a brief stop at Ella, a small town in covered with lush forests, rich tea plantations and rich bio-diversity which is now famous for many tourists both local and foreign. Later on today, you will be experiencing the sheer beauty of local wildlife at Yala National Park, the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Amongst the wildlife in the park, you will have the opportunity to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, wild buffaloes, sloth bears, jackals and mongoose along with many variety of birds, out of which 6 are endemic to Sri Lanka. After your jeep safari in Yala, you will head back to your hotel; Jetwing Yala where you will be spending the night at.
Day 12
Today you will be visiting the Mulkirigala Rock Temple en route to Galle. The Mulkirigala Rock Cave Monastery dates back to the 2nd century AD and is reminiscent of the famous Dambulla Rock Cave Temple which you witnessed at the early parts of this tour. After visiting the monastery, you will continue to Galle and end the day with a relaxing evening in Galle.
Day 13
After breakfast at the hotel, you will spend your last full day in Sri Lanka by exploring Galle and walking down the cobblestone streets of the historic Galle Dutch Fort. Galle is the bustling provincial capital and administrative center of the southern coast, and was Sri Lanka's first international commerce and trade center. The ancient port city is famous for Unawatuna Bay, a lovely cove protected by a reef. Even as the city of Galle modernizes, its remarkable collection of ancient structures transports visitors to another time. The Area is superb for you to witness and learn about the Dutch and Portuguese influence architecture during ancient times.
Thereon, you will visit the Galle Dutch Fort, which was first built by the Portuguese and later extensively fortified by the Dutch. It is now a heritage architectural monument that was declared as a UNESCO Heritage World Site for its unique exposition of an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
You will then end your last night in Sri Lanka at the beach relaxing in the sun and sand, enjoying the sea and later on with dinner and an overnight stay in Galle.
Day 14
After breakfast you will check-out of the hotel and be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home after a n enjoyable architecture based vacation.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Upon your arrival to Sri Lanka, you will be picked up from the airport and driven by one of our chauffeurs to Tharu Villa Lake Lodge. Although this hotel is not a design of Bawa himself, this former family home of Nayantara “Taru” Fonseka, pays ho09mage to his unique style of architecture. Once you are refreshed and relaxed at the villa, you will be taken for an exclusive dinner at Paradise Road The Gallery Café, the former office of Bawa. After the property was bought over by Shanth Fernando, the now owner of the property who is also the brainchild behind the exclusive lifestyle brand Paradise Road, Shanth too made his office at the café premises until recent times.
Day 2
After a refreshed night, wake up to have an adventurous ride around Colombo to visit some of Bawa’s work in the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. First stop is the Town House of Geoffrey Bawa down Bagatale Road, second visit is to the New Parliament Building in Kotte, which is the official capital of the country. The parliament is built on a 12 acre island in the midst of Diyawannawa Lake at a cost of over $25.4 million and was completed on schedule. Your final stop for the day is the infamous Seema Malaka temple – a Buddhist temple originally built during the late 19th century. The temple is used mainly for meditation and rest rather than for worship and is situated in the Beira Lake and is part of the Gangaramaya Temple which is situated a few hundred meters away.
Day 3
On the third day you will leave Colombo for Dambulla to visit and stay at the Kandalama Hotel. The Heritance Kandalama Hotel was commissioned by the Aitken Spence Hotel Group to accommodate tourists visiting the nearby Sigiriya also known as the Lion Rock Fortress. Aitken Spence originally intended to build the hotel adjacent to Sigiriya, but Bawa insistence for the hotel to be built eleven kilometers southeast of the fortress helped protect the immediate surroundings of the cultural site and allow for picturesque views of the monument across the horizon of the Kandalama Lake.
Day 4
After enjoying the breathtaking views of Sigiriya from the confines of the hotel, the 4th day takes you on a tour of Cultural Triangle beginning with the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This is an ancient Sinhalese royal complex built during the 5th century AD with an architectural genius not even found today and caused the site to be considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. Afterwards, you will be taken to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, both former kingdoms of Sri Lanka, each with their own style of architecture and history of losses and triumphs. After an educational tour, you will be brought back to Heritance Kandalama Hotel for your final night at Dambulla.
Day 5
On the 5th day, you will leave Dambulla to go to the sacred hill capital Kandy, the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka, that is rich with influences of the of both Sinhalese as well as Indian influences as the final ruler of Sri Lanka was of Indian origin. You will be visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, situated in the royal complex of the former kingdom. The which houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha and is visited every year by devout Buddhists to pay their respect. After paying homage to this World Heritage Site, you will be taken to the Suisse Hotel in Kandy which is situated right beside the historic and picturesque Kandy lake.
Day 6
On the 6th day you will leave for Bandarawela to visit the chapel of the Good Shepherd convent, a collaborative design of Bawa with Ulrik Plesner which was commissioned to him by the nuns of the convent in 1961. The chapel sits on a ridge above the town and consists of a solid hulk of rubble masonry in a square tower which acts as the skylight for the altar. The north side of the nave is fully glazed, its window frames forming the three crucifixes of the Calvary. The altar crucifix was designed by Laki Senanayake and the terra cotta Stations of the Cross by Barbara Sansoni., the founder of Barefoot Ceylon. You will end the day with an overnight stay at The Last House, by Bawa a 6 bedroom open and luxurious expanse with his quintessential touch sure to add that relaxing touch after much sightseeing.
Day 7
You will be given a tour of The Last so-called because it was his architectural swansong, is positioned on an idyllic strip of land – lagoon on one side, beach on the other – on the outskirts of Tangalle with large open spaces, courtyards, and verandas letting you relax and take in this tropical oasis. Afterwards, you will be taken on a tour to visit the Claughton House in the surf of Kaduwela Bay, in the town of Dickwella in the south of Sri Lanka. The property was built by Bawa to appreciate and compliment the stunning coastline whilst blending space, elegance and luxury to create a truly stunning beach house. After a relaxing time at Claughton House, you will be brought back to The Last House before leaving for Tangalle the following day.
Day 8
The 8th day of your vacation begins with a visit to the Ruhuna University, built by Geoffrey Bawa to celebrate the landscape of the south. Covering an area of 74 acres, and spanning across two hills with views across a lake towards the southern ocean, the university consists of pavilions and courtyards with breathtaking ocean views. Afterwards you will be visiting the public office building designed by Bawa in Matara and head over to the Galle Fort to the Jetwing Lighthouse boutique hotel, another architectural genius of Geoffrey Bawa. The lighthouse hotels conveys history with the Portuguese landing in Galle with the use of brass and bronze as well as batik demonstrating his skill at integrating architecture and history with landscape.
Day 9
After a relaxing night at Jetwing Lighthouse, you will be leaving for Bentota, first visiting Heritance Ahungalla for morning tea. With a long driveway, for a dramatic entrance coupled with views across the infinity pool edging the sea; Bawa uses his signature architectural style using plenty of the natural elements - the tropical sun, ocean breeze, lush greenery and flowing water to create a beautiful vista. You will be next taken to visit Club Villa, a boutique hotel located in the heart of Bentota with magnificent views. Next, you will visit Lunuganga for afternoon tea; an old rubber plantation transformed by Bawa into a haven of peace and tranquility which was also his country home and the first property designed by him which lead him to follow architecture. You will be calling it a day at the Bentota Beach Hotel, which is the first purpose built resort hotel in the island. Bawa’s style of architecture of the property aims to create a resemblance with the lost world of the ancient Sri Lankan kingdoms.
Day 10
The 10th day of the Bawa architecture tour first takes you to Blue Water Hotel in Wadduwa to witness his command interior design, landscape and architecture paired with terracotta tiles, frangipani trees, open space and lengthy corridors. Your next stop will be at the Raffle House, a former private residence of Chris and Carmen Raffle, was created with the functions of a small concert place in mind as the patron’s wife was a musician – with the ground floor to accommodate performances. Your third stop will be at the Steel Corporation Office in Oruwela, built in in 1966. The final stop will be at Jetwing Lagoon, another space designed by Bawa in Negombo where you will be spending your final night before departing Sri Lanka.
Day 11
After an exciting 10 days you will be driven back to the airport to catch your flight back home. Whilst the past few days would have flown with new knowledge and sites, we hope to have left you with fond memories and longing to return back to Sri Lanka to enjoy another one of our specially curated vacations.
Architectural Day Tour in Colombo
Discover and witness captivating mysteries of Colombo’s outstanding buildings and reveal the little known architectural secrecies of the city. Marvel at the impressive old structures still standing tall from the colonial era. Appraise designs of the Dutch, The Portuguese and the English.
Also experience the modern architectural achievements of Sri Lanka like the Lotus Pond Theater, combination of the ancient and modern eras.
Pick up from hotel :
Will be visiting,
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Old Parliament buildings,
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Seema Malakaya – Gangaramaya.
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Galle Face Hotel,
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The Independence Square,
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Race Course,
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The Dutch Hospital,
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The Town Hall,
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Colombo Light House,
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Grand Oriental Hotel,
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Cargill’s building,
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Lotus Pond Theatre,
Drop off at the hotel.
Old Parliament building
Built in the neo-baroque style of architecture, the Old Parliament Building is one of the major attractions of Colombo. The beautiful architecture and the history associated with the building is fascinating, to say the least. The building was opened on January 29, 1930 by Governor Sir Herbert Stanley. When the State Council of Ceylon was established a year later, the old building was used as the office space for the council.
Seema Malaka Temple
Seema Malaka Temple is the assembly hall for monks at the Gangaramaya Vihara Buddhist Temple, one of the most famous temples in Sri Lanka. The reason for its fame is three fold – modern architecture, religious importance and cultural significance. The architecture of the temple is a perfect harmony of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.
Galle Face Hotel
Founded in 1864, the Galle Face Hotel is one of the landmarks in Asia with a rich colonial history and is arguably one of the best heritage hotels in the world. The Galle Face Hotel was originally built by four British entrepreneurs and is among the few remaining colonial hotels in operation today in Asia. In 2012 it became the first hotel in the country to be featured on a postage stamp. The hotel reflects the grandeur of a bygone era yet offering modern comfort for today’s traveler. Despite many renovations over the years, the period detail of the Galle Face Hotel has been preserved in its architecture and façade.
Independence Square
This imposing building is situated at the heart of Cinnamon Gardens, Sri Lanka’s ritziest neighborhood. Nowadays, the Independence Memorial Hall is mostly popular as a recreational venue for joggers, strolling couples, students from the nearby university and families looking for a refreshing reprieve from the urban mess of Colombo. Every architectural square inch of this monument teems with lavish symbols of the island’s rich history and political freedom. The most prominent feature of the monument, the assembly hall, was inspired by the “Magul Maduwa,” the royal court of the King of Kandy, the last kingdom on the island.
The Race Course
The magnificent colonial racecourse building is complete with a colossal grandstand. Now, the 120-year-old Colombo Racecourse, is a center of another sport, preserve the British classic-style architecture of the grandstand, and discreetly transform an adjacent building into a shopping and restaurant area.
The Dutch Hospital
The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital (known as The Dutch Hospital ) is considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. It is now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct.
Town Hall – Colombo
The Town Hall of Colombo is the headquarters of the Colombo Municipal Council and the office of the Mayor of Colombo. Built in front of the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka, it is the meeting place for the elected municipal council.
In 1921 renowned Scottish town planner, Professor Patrick Geddes, recommended that the Council should construct a large central and dignified municipal building to house the council, a public reception hall, the mayor's office and a public library. The need for the Colombo Public Library was addressed by a philanthropic donation of a building by Dr. W. Arthur Silva in 1925. This building, Sirinivasa, is now the official residence of the mayor.
Colombo Light House
The Lighthouse is one of the lesser known but equally fascinating attractions of Colombo. Operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the Lighthouse is 12 metres high and is built on a concrete base. The Lighthouse was built in 1952. Tourists and locals flock to the Lighthouse to sit and relax in the peaceful spot. From the Lighthouse, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Indian Ocean.
Grand Oriental Hotel
The story of the Hotel begins as a British military barrack constructed in 1837. Gradually the barracks were converted into hostels for soldiers and later in 1875 refurbished as the well-equipped, luxurious Grand Oriental Hotel. It was the first European owned, fully equipped hotel in the East, and the first in Ceylon to install an electrically operated lift.
Through time the Hotel gained a reputation worldwide with its plush service offerings at a central location on the Indian sea route, becoming the choice of many illustrious patrons. Dr Jose Mercado Rizal Y Alonzo, a national hero of the Philippines visited the Grand Oriental Hotel four times and famous Russian author Anton Chekov aboded at the Hotel where he commenced writing his novel “Gusev.” In the early 1950s, during the stay of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Kent, at the Queen’s House in Colombo, it was the Grand Oriental Hotel that was chosen to provide catering.
The cargills Building
Construction of the beautiful and ornate Cargills building in Colombo commenced in 1902 and was completed in 1906. The building resembles Renaissance style architecture. In the past the building served as Colombo's premiere department store consisting of everything from clothing to groceries. Today the building still serves as a department store and is one of the city’s most familiar landmarks.
The Lotus Pond Theater
The Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Theatre is a fully equipped state of the art performance center, meant for large scale theatrical productions. The theatre consists of two venues for performances, which includes the Main Auditorium and an Open Air Theatre.
Situated in the heart of Colombo city, this modern architectural masterpiece facilitates easy access for both local and foreign producers. The Theatre is also surrounded by several five Star Hotels and other commercial establishments.
