Galle National Museum
Galle National Museum
3.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Galle National Museum and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
374 within 3 miles
Attractions
54 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
21 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
5
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Lex A
Deventer, The Netherlands6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We came just before closing time but the personel gave us enough time to see all the cabinets and spend time to explain exhibited material. We had an interesting change of information.
Because of the excellent service I wanted to tip the person but he refused, because 'it was hid duty'
Because of the excellent service I wanted to tip the person but he refused, because 'it was hid duty'
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deemanka J
Yatiyantota, Sri Lanka5 contributions
Nov 2019
Representing the cultural heritage of the Southern province, as well as Galle with the colonial eras of Portuguese, Dutch & British. As well as a longterm relationship between China & Sri Lanka.
This very building used to be the old Dutch weapons store & Later it used as the Galle Health Department, On 1986.03.26 it has been opened as the Galle National Museum.
There are 3 Galleries at the museum & the first gallery representing the endemic rural industries in the Galle area.which are Ebony wood carvings, Ivory carvings & Jewelry,Turtle shell industrial instruments & Turtle shell jewellery & stuff, Beautiful Masks & Paintings, Lace & Brass artefacts.
The second gallery shows you all the colonial-era artefacts, relics as well as weapons. Like Portuguese, Dutch, British, Indian, Malay & Sinhalese Swords, Guns, Canon balls, Gun powder holders, ancient water clocks, A massive scale that has been used by a local family to export heavy ebony wood carved elephants, massive vessels carrying chair of a local Buddhist monk, dutch period VOC coins, a 1st stone, Kandyan era eve tiles & some dutch ceramic artefacts.
The last Gallery is about the long term relationship between China & Sri Lanka. Where you can see some ancient Chinese coins that has been found in excavations around Sri Lanka as well as two big ceramic lions which are found from an excavation, then a replica of a triangular stone inscription which has been established in Galle by the Chinese Royal Navy Admiral "Zen-Hai" on his 2nd journey to Sri Lanka, describing a massive donation to a local temple to get blessings from the Lord "Vishnu",
Using Tamil, Chinese & Persian.
As well as the Route map of the monk "Faxian"
This very building used to be the old Dutch weapons store & Later it used as the Galle Health Department, On 1986.03.26 it has been opened as the Galle National Museum.
There are 3 Galleries at the museum & the first gallery representing the endemic rural industries in the Galle area.which are Ebony wood carvings, Ivory carvings & Jewelry,Turtle shell industrial instruments & Turtle shell jewellery & stuff, Beautiful Masks & Paintings, Lace & Brass artefacts.
The second gallery shows you all the colonial-era artefacts, relics as well as weapons. Like Portuguese, Dutch, British, Indian, Malay & Sinhalese Swords, Guns, Canon balls, Gun powder holders, ancient water clocks, A massive scale that has been used by a local family to export heavy ebony wood carved elephants, massive vessels carrying chair of a local Buddhist monk, dutch period VOC coins, a 1st stone, Kandyan era eve tiles & some dutch ceramic artefacts.
The last Gallery is about the long term relationship between China & Sri Lanka. Where you can see some ancient Chinese coins that has been found in excavations around Sri Lanka as well as two big ceramic lions which are found from an excavation, then a replica of a triangular stone inscription which has been established in Galle by the Chinese Royal Navy Admiral "Zen-Hai" on his 2nd journey to Sri Lanka, describing a massive donation to a local temple to get blessings from the Lord "Vishnu",
Using Tamil, Chinese & Persian.
As well as the Route map of the monk "Faxian"
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia1,293 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
Galle National Museum is with the walls of Galle Forte. It is located in the oldest remaining Dutch building in the Galle Fort area. It was built in 1656 as the commissariat store for the Dutch garrison at the fort. The building was renovated and opened as a museum on March 31 1986.What is even better is that it is free to enter!
Written September 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
viddyapati
Lucknow, India45 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
This museum is located inside the fort area. Collection is good . It has displayed the art sculpture surrounding Galle. After visiting this place we learned more about culture and history of galle.
People visiting galle must spent 1 hours here.
Viddyapati chaudhary
People visiting galle must spent 1 hours here.
Viddyapati chaudhary
Written December 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gillian M
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
May 2018 • Family
Should have read the reviews, we just thought there might be some good history to learn. Limited Sri Lankan collection, and half the place is propaganda from the Chinese communist party - we did find that fascinating and entertaining coming from a country where we never see that. Closes at 4.30.
Written May 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sapan J
Bengaluru, India102 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
It’s not a museum, it’s a waste of time and money. There are hardly any artifacts and most of it don’t even have any dates on them. Better use that money to buy a drink at any of the cafes.
Written April 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon G
Hurstbridge, Australia70 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
If you want flashing lights and audio visual guide systems, don’t go, it’s not for you.
If you want to see an honest collection representing the past of Galle going back to the 400s, spend the small entrance fee and have a look and you will learn something. Did you know Chinese Admiral Zhe travelled this region on 7 voyages with his huge fleet in the 1400s?
Did you know they bought with them to Sri Lanka a tri lingual tablet (Persian, Chinese, Tamil) along with other tributes.
Have a look ....
If you want to see an honest collection representing the past of Galle going back to the 400s, spend the small entrance fee and have a look and you will learn something. Did you know Chinese Admiral Zhe travelled this region on 7 voyages with his huge fleet in the 1400s?
Did you know they bought with them to Sri Lanka a tri lingual tablet (Persian, Chinese, Tamil) along with other tributes.
Have a look ....
Written May 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trek20800975411
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
Great Display with good collection of artifacts. Specially the collection of turtle shell and ivory artifacts are extraordinary. It has a very old ritual masks collection.
Written September 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anuradha
New Delhi, India1,406 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Not worth, as there are only a few artefacts and it’s very small. It was very hot inside, most of the fans were not working, or they were saving on power. After charging an entry fee this much could be provided.
No much to see !
No much to see !
Written January 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ollossm
Brundall, UK1,329 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Very interesting to have a wander around.
Some really good displays
Courtyard area was peaceful with a working water well.
Kitchen area display was interesting, fireplace must have made that room like Dante's inferno
Some really good displays
Courtyard area was peaceful with a working water well.
Kitchen area display was interesting, fireplace must have made that room like Dante's inferno
Written January 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing