RICHMOND CASTLE

Built between 1906 and 1910, Richmond Castle is a superb building whose architecture was copied from the plans of an Indian maharaja's palace and built by a London architect. It was the luxurious home of a regional governor with an incredibly long name: Padikara Mudaliyar Rajawasala Appuhamilage Don Arthur da Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena (1888-1949), who lived a lavish life here before dying alone. Originally, the two-storey building had 15 rooms and most of the materials for its construction were imported from old Europe and Asia: coloured glass from Scotland and Italy, marble from Italy, teak from Burma, bricks from India and England... The house also had a dance hall, stables, a guard room and quarters for the household staff. The park of the property is immense and includes many trees and statues of Italian style. Long in disrepair after being abandoned by the great aristocracy, the palace has been transformed into a school and orphanage for underprivileged children. It is also a popular tourist spot. The Public Trustee Department is gradually restoring it, but very gradually. During our last visit, we were left alone to visit the house. Do not hesitate to walk in the shaded park which counts many species. Coconut trees, bamboos, rubber trees, mangosteen trees, cinnamon... a real spice garden!