Do you want to learn about Colombo’s history over the ages? Colombo has a lot of historical sites, such as time-honored monuments, buildings, parks, and palaces, where you may learn about the city’s illustrious history. These historical landmarks & museums will lead you on a journey through Colombo’s rich past.
If you want to learn more about Colombo’s history, we recommend taking a superb guided tour covering critical historical landmarks. Check the closing and opening times so you can plan your time accordingly. Make sure to look over the entire list of historical locations in Colombo for a memorable vacation!
Listed below are some of the most famous historical attractions in Colombo, Sri Lanka:
1. Wolvendaal Parish Church
The Wolvendaal Church, built in the seventeenth century, is a reminder of the wealthy Dutch heritage. It is shaped like a Greek cross, and also the interiors have magnificent woodwork on seats, pulpits, and lecterns, among other things. It contains the ashes of five famous Dutch leaders. The story behind the Church’s name is based on a visit by the Dutch to the city. It was just a jungle with jackals wandering about. Because these people confused jackals for wolves, they called the area Wolvendaal, which translates to “wolf valley” in Dutch. The 300-year-old Church houses the rich history of the Dutch settlers who settled in Sri Lanka.
It is around 30 kilometers from International Airport Bandaranaike and is among Colombo’s most important historical sites. The Church’s Dutch style gives it a historic feel, and so many historians & architects come here for research. Also, the Church is open for business and regular prayer services after three centuries, and no admission costs exist. If you want to get to the Church, take a direct cab from the airport, and you will be there in an hour. You must visit the Holy Church between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Entry Fee: Free (Donations are accepted)
2. Colombo’s Independence Memorial Hall
This Independence memorial hall, which rises amid Independence Square, functions as an open pavilion. The hall where religious activities and yearly national holidays are observed was built to commemorate Sri Lanka’s freedom from British control. Tom Neville Wynne-Jones designed the beautiful structure, drawing influence from the Magul Maduwa, the Kingdom of Kandy’s royal audience hall. The hall is defended by a line of stone-carved lions, with pun-Kala potted plants in the corners. Inside its fabulous 10,000 sq., ft are gorgeous stone pillars elegantly sculpted with traditional Sri Lankan motifs.
There are two entrances inside the hall. Beyond them lies the Independence Memorial Museum, a dimly lighted, almost temple-like space that honors the various historical people who helped guide and shape Sri Lanka’s route to independence. A collection of elaborately crafted busts honors these individuals. Weapons, cellphones, & diaries are displayed in glass cases around them. There is also a chamber filled with beautiful palm-leaf parchments with the names of Sri Lankan civil war combatants written on them.
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 and Rs. 250 if you want to take pictures.
3. Vatadage Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa Vatadage is a beautifully preserved Vatadage in the famed Dalada Maluwa quadrangle of Polonnaruwa, a historic city of ruins. Vatadages are ordinary Buddhist buildings in Sri Lanka. These are round, stone, and brick structures with exquisite stone carvings and a wooden roof. They were constructed to safeguard stupas. There are now 10 Vatadages in Sri Lanka, the most popular being Polonnaruwa Vatadage.
This tower is created in the Buddulakara or bubble-shaped pattern and is an excellent example of a Sri Lankan Vatadage. Many stories surround the creation of this monument, although most historians believe it was erected in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The Vatadage was initially built to safeguard Buddha’s tooth relic and ten precepts. Buddhists believe that Buddha’s left canine survived his cremation, and the country has kept it as a valued property. This tooth, which inspired the creation of Polonnaruwa Vatadage, is presently housed in the Kandy Temple.
Entry Fee: 3,750 LKR
4. Sigiriya
A visit to this location will let you see the 1600-year-old Sigiriya Fortress, which King Kasyapa erected. Two moats & three ramparts guard this vast enclosure. It was initially known as King Kasyapa’s private house. Sri Lanka is 165 kilometers away. This location is best visited early in the morning or late in the noon.
The Sigiriya Frescoes are breathtaking, personally painted by the monarch and showing heavenly nymphs all around the circle. And on top of these rocks, he constructed a white mansion that is the peak of beauty.
Entry Fee: 10,963 LKR and onwards
5. Temple of Gangaramaya
This Buddhist temple was built in the late 1800s. The temple serves as a place of prayer while also aiming to teach people about Buddhism. It’s also similar to a museum in that it displays various actual artifacts, such as jewelry, coins, and a vintage Rolls-Royce.
You may also see the temple’s most holy religious treasure, a lock of Buddha’s hair, and the sacred tree that inspired the temple’s construction. See the Gangaramaya Temple’s yearly colorful religious celebration, which includes a parade led by the temple’s elephant, during the February full moon (called “Poya”).
The temple complex is located in downtown Colombo, near Bere Lake.
Entry Fee: Temple Entrance is free, but you must pay 100 LKR to visit the museum.
6. Colombo University
Colombo University is a must-see destination for instructors and students wanting to study abroad. The oldest institution in the country, Colombo University, is on the list of important historical sites in Colombo due to its cultural variety. The country’s renowned institution is distinguished not just for its educational offerings but also for its architecture. The University was founded in 1921; however, the seeds were planted before 1870 with the establishment of Ceylon Medical School. The institution boasts the country’s oldest library, with over 400,000 books.
The institution has roughly 41 academic departments, but it began with only four. The Department of Computing was established in the University in 2002. The Colombo Planetarium is a must-see for children.
Entry Fee: 20 LKR (for Colombo Planetarium)
7. The Truth Temple
The Sacred Tooth Relic temple, located near the Udawattakele Sanctuary, is among Sri Lanka’s most prominent sanctuaries. This shrine, also known as Dalada Maligawa, is located in the royal palace of the Kingdom of Kandy. The temple, which houses the mythical Budda tooth, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, albeit virtually little of the original temple, which was erected in 1600, remains.
The unique embellishment with the golden fence and spectacular Canadian architecture gives it a beautiful sight for tourists. Dedicated monks recite the Malwatte & Aegirine prayers three times a day, at dawn, noon, & sunset, at the inner temple.
Entry Fee: No entry fee but for foreigners: 1500 LKR
8. The Red Mosque
Visit the city’s spectacular Red Masjid, formally known as the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, when you’re in Pettah. It was constructed in the early twentieth century and stands out with its red and white stone minarets capped with onion- & pomegranate-shaped domes. They tower over the surrounding surroundings, and the crowns give the tower an almost Russian architectural feel. The style is known as “Indo-Saracenic”.
The mosque sits close to the harbor, and its contrasting white and red hues serve as a visual marker for approaching ships. It’s especially intriguing since the white and red bricks are stacked in various designs. Some swirls, spirals, and other places contain alternate hues that create a near-optical illusion.
Entry Fee: No entry fee
9. Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Please enter the city of Polonnaruwa, it’s capital and a historic kingdom of Sri Lanka, to join the Golden Age. There are several old ruins of palaces, shrines, & stupas. Each of these ancient relics has a beautiful past of its own. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll be so engrossed in it that you won’t notice how quickly time passes.
You should not pass up the opportunity to view the statue of Parakramabahu I, who ruled during the golden period. The Lotus Pond, with its lotus-shaped petals erected on four layers, also provides a stunning vista that should not be missed.
Entry Fee: 9,082 LKR
10. Old Parliament Building
It may seem paradoxical that one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions is unavailable to the public. It is hardly unexpected, though, given that people are content with photographing its magnificent architecture. The structure was constructed in the 1930s in Neo-baroque architecture to house the Parliament, but its use changed in 1983 when the Parliament relocated to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.
Today, it houses the Presidential Secretariat and is the site of numerous significant governmental functions and events. On the grounds in front of the building are sculptures of several famous Sri Lankan leaders.
Entry Fee: NA
Conclusion
Sri Lanka is comparable to India in many aspects, and people naturally connect because of the centuries-old Ramayana legend. Colombo, the country’s capital and island metropolis, has its appeal and is a mingling of modernism and traditions, making it a must-see trip.
Many historical sites in Colombo give the economic hub a multicultural feel, but the decades of Dutch, Portuguese, & British rule have left their imprint. The architecture of the tourist sites is proof of the conquerors’ profound culture, but after decades of civil conflict and upheaval, it has finally become an independent country. We have listed Famous Historical Attractions in Colombo, Sri Lanka, above.
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