The Dutch Museum in Galle also referred to as the Historic Mansion Museum is the largest privately owned museum in Sri Lanka dedicated to a range of ancient artefacts among which is an excellent collection of items belonging to the Dutch period that lasted from the mid 17th century to 1786.
Located down Leynbaan Street Galle Fort, the artefacts are displayed in a house more than 300 years old that is an interesting antiquity itself. The site has all the attributes of the house design of the time, a soaring roof, a courtyard with a well in the middle and thick clay and coral mixed walls designed to keep the heat out. Entrance is free as the owner seeks to educate the public. The house was bought by the owner of the museum in 1970, refurbished to house the collection that he had acquired over a period of 40 years, after a visit to the Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad that is also a private collection. It opened to the public in 1992.
The interior of the museum resembles a treasure trove with antiques of various periods crowding the walls, in and on top of display cabinets and the bigger pieces cluttering all the floor space so that visitors have to pick their way carefully around objects. The Dutch period collection includes paintings, prints, documents, blue and white ceramic ware comprising of plates, bowls and serving platters with the VOC symbol printed on them and a rare bourenbund plate painted in red green and blue. Also here are a limited collection of Dutch era small firearms, Dutch coins, a collection of chairs, occasional tables and chests, brass items, jewellery and trinkets. Interestingly almost everything in the museum is for sale.
The most interesting piece of Dutch antiquity is the saltwater free well in the courtyard that was the main water source of the house. It still provides clear refreshing water despite the fort’s location by the sea. A stone slab by the well is stamped with the Dutch VOC insignia as well as the date 1763, confirming that a Dutch official occupied the residence. All implements that were needed to draw water are still in place.
Country Feeling Holidays offer a range of Sri Lanka tour packages that are designed to introduce travellers to every aspect of the country; from its beaches to the cool hill country and ancient places of civilization. Whether it is a discovery tour or an express one the company ensures that vacationers will only have the best experience when they Sri Lanka Holidays.