STAR STRONG

This five-pointed star-shaped fort was built by the Dutch in 1765. This date can be seen on the pediment, as well as the initials V.O.C., of the Dutch East India Company and the inscription Redoute Van Eck 1763, in memory of the Dutch governor of the time. The central building, which once housed a garrison, now serves as a museum. It was officially declared a historic site in 1980. While it may seem disappointing next to the much larger Galle fort, it is nevertheless a good example of the military architecture of the time. It was intended to prevent attacks from the interior of the country. In 1762, the Dutch lost Matara to the Kingdom of Kandy. After retaking the city in 1763, they decided to reinforce its defense by adding a fort along the river. Equipped with 12 cannons, the fort was never attacked. It was given to the British, who used it as an administrative office when the Dutch surrendered in 1796. The fort housed a library from 1965 to 1975 before being purchased by the Department of Archaeology. The museum installed in the central rooms of the fort presents the history of Matara. Some Hindu statues, crockery from the colonial period and yellowing photos of Sri Lankan forts are displayed. Its interest is rather limited. In the center of the fort, you can lean over the large well that provided the garrison with drinking water.