Star Fort Matara
As The Name Suggests, The Star Fort Is Constructed In The
Shape Of A Star. It Was Built By The Dutch To Prevent Attacks From External
Enemies. The Fort Is Composed Out Of 6-Points Forming A Star Which Has A Point
Facing Every Direction. Each Point Is Bolstered With Two Large Canons. Still
Protected From All Sides By A Deep Moat, The Star Fort Houses A Well In The
Center That Offered Water Within The Territories. Additionally, Two Prisons Are
Also Present Within The Forts Premises. It Was Later Occupied By The British To
Carry Out Administrative Work. The Fort Stands Even To This Day As A Remnant Of
Colonialism In Sri Lanka.
Old Dutch Trade Center- Matara
Architectural Buffs Will Be Mesmerized With The T-Shaped Old
Dutch Trade Center. Located On The Western Section Of The Town, It Was Once The
Towns Market Bustling With Trade Activities. Composed Of Steep, Imposing Roofs
And Conical Towers, The Old Dutch Trade Center Still Stands To This Day In Its
Grandiose. The Open-Sided Structure Is Supported By Wooden Beams And Columns,
While A Majestic Entrance Greets The Visitors. The Roof Is Latticed With Clay
Tiles, Locally Known As Peti Ulu. It Also Bears British Architectural
Influences With Its Decorated, Whitewashed Columns.
Weherehena Temple
The Weherahena Temple Is Located On The Eastern Part Of The
Town Of Matara. The Temple Contains An Artificial Cave, Which Stands Decorated
With Scenes From The Life Of Buddha. The Pathways Of The Weherahena Temple Lead
To A Colorful, Gigantic Buddha Statue Towering Over 25 Meters Height. As Picturesque
As The Spot May Be, Photography Is Strictly Prohibited Within The Temple. A Procession
Of Dancers And Trained Elephants Celebrate The Anniversary Of The Founding Of
The Temple During Late-November Or Early December.
Polhena Beach
The Beaches In Matara Are Not Very Touristy. However, The Polhena
Beach Stands As An Exception To The Rule. The Polhena Beach May Be Hard To
Access, But It Is Worth All The Navigation. Situated At A Distance Of 2
Kilometers From The Matara City Center, The Polhena Beach Has Calm Waters
Calling Out Visitors For A Swim. The Offshore Coral Reefs Break The Waves
Offering A Serene Sandy Cove Along The Coast. Due To The Romantic Atmosphere Of
Polhena Beach, It Enjoys The Position Of A Popular Honeymoon Destination. It Also
Acts As A Weekend Getaway For The Locals.
Crow Island Matara
The Crow Island Is Located Right Across The Polhena Beach,
Where The Nilwala Ganga River Meets The Indian Ocean. Covered In Lush Green And
Wilderness, Walking Tracks, Mangrove Plantations, And Freshwater Lakes, The
Island Carries Great Aesthetic Value. The Island Hosts A Mix Of Ecosystems.
Locals Often Scout To The Crow Island Beach Park To Spend Time With Their Kids
And Other Family Members. The Crow Island Beach Park Contains An Array Of
Parks, Rides, And Play Areas That Are Perfect For Unwinding. The Sea Along The
Crow Island Is Choppy And Hence Is Not Suitable For Swimming Or Bathing.
Dondra Head Lighthouse
The Dondra Lighthouse Is Located At The Dondra Head On The
Southern Tip Of The Sri Lankan Island. Touching A Height Of 160 Feet, It Is The
Tallest Lighthouse In The Entirety Of Sri Lanka! The Whitewashed Monolith Can
Be Seen From Every Direction. Conceptualized By Sir James Nicholas Douglass,
The Structure Is Built In Stone, Which Was Imported From Cornwall And Scotland.
The Octagonal Brick Tower Has A Spiral Staircase Traveling To The Top-Most
Floor. The Balcony Offers The Panoramic Views Including That Of The Indian
Ocean In The South And The Bulutota Mountain Range In The North.
Matara Paravi Duwa Temple
Situated On A Small Island. Matara Paravai Duwa Temple Is A Buddhist
Temple That Is As Scenic As It Is Peaceful. Surrounded By The Ocean, Matara
Paravi Duwa Temple Is Home To Buddhist Monks And Ideal For Soul Seeking. You May
Find Monks Crossing The Bridge And Going Inside The Temple. You Are Requested
To Maintain Silence And Decorum At All Times During Your Visit. The Sound Of
Crashing Waves Feels Like A Meditative Music To The Ears. If You Want To Get
Away From All The Hsutle-Bustle And Flee To Tranquil Surroundings, Then You
Should Come To This Place.
Matara Beach
One Of The Best Places To Visit In Matara Is The Beach
Itself. Unlike Other Popular Beaches In Sri Lanka, You Will Not Find Much Crowd
At This Place. So, Enjoy Taking Long Walks By The Shore, Go Beach Combing, Or
Just Sit Under A Tree And Read Your Favorite Book Gazing At The Ocean Once In A
While. When The Ride Is Not Strong, You Can Also Enjoy Taking A Bath In The
Sea.
Medawatte Beach
Matara Is Blessed With Quite Number Of Picturesque Beaches,
One Of Which Is Medawatta Beach. What Lures Visitors To This Place Is The
Serenity And Astounding Views Of The Ocean. Once Can Relax Here For Hours
Strolling Or Sitting. The Beach Is Outlined With Hillocks. So, Reaching This
Place Might Be A Little Exercise For You. This Beach Is Mainly Famous For
Surfing And Has Got A Number Of Good Hotels Around Too.
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