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CulturalRef. 451

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

Cultural World Heritage property in Sri Lanka, inscribed in 1988 under criterion (iv).

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, Sri Lanka
Photo: Dan Lundberg · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
AnuradhapuraArchaeological Heritage of the Lenggong ValleyAyutthaya Historical ParkCentral Highlands of Sri LankaChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj TerminusChurches and Convents of GoaDambulla cave templeDong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest ComplexElephanta CavesForest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park SelangorGreat Living Chola TemplesGroup of monuments at MahabalipuramHampiHistoric Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic TownsKaeng Krachan Forest ComplexKandyKonark Sun TempleLuang PrabangOld Town of Galle and its FortificationsOmbilin coal minePattadakal Group of MonumentsPolonnaruwaRamappa TempleSacred Ensembles of the HoysalasSi Thep historical parkSigiriyaSinharaja Forest ReserveThungyai Naresuan Wildlife SanctuaryTropical Rainforest Heritage of SumatraVictorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of MumbaiWat Phra MahathatWestern Ghats6.021° N, 80.219° E
State Party
Sri Lanka
Year of inscription
1988
Criteria
iv
Location
Galle
What it is
old town, fortification system
Component parts
2 (serial property)
Reference
WHC 451 · Wikidata Q15830652

Why it is on the List

(iv)An outstanding example of a building type, ensemble or landscape that illustrates a significant stage in human history.
nearby

Closest World Heritage sites

Straight-line distance between the recorded coordinates.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka25 kmSinharaja Forest ReserveSri Lanka · 1988NaturalKandy, Sri Lanka149 kmKandySri Lanka · 1988CulturalCentral Highlands of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka172 kmCentral Highlands of Sri LankaSri Lanka · 2010NaturalDambulla cave temple, Sri Lanka210 kmDambulla cave templeSri Lanka · 1991CulturalSigiriya, Sri Lanka223 kmSigiriyaSri Lanka · 1982CulturalPolonnaruwa, Sri Lanka229 kmPolonnaruwaSri Lanka · 1982Cultural
Sri Lanka

More sites in Sri Lanka

All 8
1988

Also inscribed in 1988

All of 1988

Data: Wikidata (CC0) · danger list as published in 2026 · independent atlas, not affiliated with UNESCO or Petit Futé.