Star Fort
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Geobar01
Manchester, UK1,494 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Directions
If you arrive at Matara's busy main bus station you can find the Star Fort by heading away from the nearby sea front and walking up to the main road - New Tangalla Road. There are plenty of eager tuk tuk drivers around the bus station but the short distance to the fort doesn't merit one. At the main road turn left and cross over to head across the bridge over the Nilwala Ganga, noting the very colonial looking building on the near bank to your right. This temple's splendid architecture compliments the river setting and makes a nice photo opportunity on your way to the fort. At this point you are now on Main Street - stay on the right side making your way past numerous street sellers and a small market on your right until you reach the first right turn and on the opposite side you will see the gate to the Start Fort. If this is shut and it appears closed see if you can attract the attention of someone inside; the guides are keen for visitors and beckoned to us to come in. Bear in mind though that this could be the start of a 'tour' not just a friendly welcome.
The fort
The fort itself is small, so small in fact it is more of a strongpoint than a fort. Originally it was intended that the nearby ramparts should form part of more extensive defensive fortifications but cost cutting curtailed this, saved money and rendered them inadequate for their role. As a result the much smaller Star Fort was planned though it would not have offered much protection for the small number of people it could have sheltered from attack. Although the area was held for little more than a year after the Kandyan kingdom captured it in 1760 before it was retaken by the Dutch in 1762, they remained conscious of their vulnerabilities.
As you approach you may have your attention drawn to a rather forlorn looking lone crocodile in the moat. We were told crocodiles aided in the defence but it's impossible to believe the crocodile we saw was not brought here as a tourist attraction. If you look to the right at this point there are also some large rocks protruding from the water in the angle of the moat that seem to be a favoured basking spot for turtles (hopefully not there to help feed the crocodile).
You enter the fort itself over a drawbridge with the year of completion, 1765, above it along with the governor's coat of arms and the emblem of the VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) or Dutch East INdia Company. Once across it is likely that your guide will give you a quick demonstration to show how simply the drawbridge was raised before proceeding. It leads into a circular courtyard with a central well and both the Fort barracks and commander's quarters opposite. When we visited these were off limits and we could not enter them. Turning back access to the rampart is via a ramp for the short walk around the embrasures. The walls seem impressively thick and although no cannon remain it looks quite powerful. In reality though its military value was probably negligible and it must have been a disappointing alternative to the fortifications originally hoped for.
In truth there isn't a great deal to see and a tour of the whole fort can easily be accomplished in as little as 10-15 minutes. On leaving, although admission is free, you will almost certainly be asked for a donation to assist with its upkeep, 300 rupees being suggested in our case. It is an interesting spot and perhaps a place to ‘tick off’ if you are visiting Matara or there for a more extended stay, but if you don’t have an interest in history there isn’t all that much to see.
If you arrive at Matara's busy main bus station you can find the Star Fort by heading away from the nearby sea front and walking up to the main road - New Tangalla Road. There are plenty of eager tuk tuk drivers around the bus station but the short distance to the fort doesn't merit one. At the main road turn left and cross over to head across the bridge over the Nilwala Ganga, noting the very colonial looking building on the near bank to your right. This temple's splendid architecture compliments the river setting and makes a nice photo opportunity on your way to the fort. At this point you are now on Main Street - stay on the right side making your way past numerous street sellers and a small market on your right until you reach the first right turn and on the opposite side you will see the gate to the Start Fort. If this is shut and it appears closed see if you can attract the attention of someone inside; the guides are keen for visitors and beckoned to us to come in. Bear in mind though that this could be the start of a 'tour' not just a friendly welcome.
The fort
The fort itself is small, so small in fact it is more of a strongpoint than a fort. Originally it was intended that the nearby ramparts should form part of more extensive defensive fortifications but cost cutting curtailed this, saved money and rendered them inadequate for their role. As a result the much smaller Star Fort was planned though it would not have offered much protection for the small number of people it could have sheltered from attack. Although the area was held for little more than a year after the Kandyan kingdom captured it in 1760 before it was retaken by the Dutch in 1762, they remained conscious of their vulnerabilities.
As you approach you may have your attention drawn to a rather forlorn looking lone crocodile in the moat. We were told crocodiles aided in the defence but it's impossible to believe the crocodile we saw was not brought here as a tourist attraction. If you look to the right at this point there are also some large rocks protruding from the water in the angle of the moat that seem to be a favoured basking spot for turtles (hopefully not there to help feed the crocodile).
You enter the fort itself over a drawbridge with the year of completion, 1765, above it along with the governor's coat of arms and the emblem of the VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) or Dutch East INdia Company. Once across it is likely that your guide will give you a quick demonstration to show how simply the drawbridge was raised before proceeding. It leads into a circular courtyard with a central well and both the Fort barracks and commander's quarters opposite. When we visited these were off limits and we could not enter them. Turning back access to the rampart is via a ramp for the short walk around the embrasures. The walls seem impressively thick and although no cannon remain it looks quite powerful. In reality though its military value was probably negligible and it must have been a disappointing alternative to the fortifications originally hoped for.
In truth there isn't a great deal to see and a tour of the whole fort can easily be accomplished in as little as 10-15 minutes. On leaving, although admission is free, you will almost certainly be asked for a donation to assist with its upkeep, 300 rupees being suggested in our case. It is an interesting spot and perhaps a place to ‘tick off’ if you are visiting Matara or there for a more extended stay, but if you don’t have an interest in history there isn’t all that much to see.
Written May 25, 2015
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.
John G
Edinburgh, UK30 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
I visited this fort with my guide. It is very small but quite interesting. Information is at hand, but I have to say that 10 mins at the Fort is adequate. The few staff that are there do not speak very good English which is a shame because the written info is limited. If in close proximity its a place of interest to visit.
Written August 3, 2014
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.
svperera
London, UK126 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
worth a visit to the well preserved and maintained historic star fort - there are several items on display in the museum contained within the building as well as availability of clean toilet for use of visitors to the site ;-)
worth a visit including the ramparts that command a 360 view from the site
worth a visit including the ramparts that command a 360 view from the site
Written May 7, 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.
LCGR
Colombo, Sri Lanka169 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
One of the smallest and well preserved locations.
There are 4 reasons why this was considered as the safest place over Mathara Fort:
1. Moat filled with water and crocodiles
2. Drawbridge that can be pulled up and cover the only access way by three doors
3. Cannons
4. Well with drinking water that will enable the inhabitants to stay safe even with all supply lines are stopped.
There are 4 reasons why this was considered as the safest place over Mathara Fort:
1. Moat filled with water and crocodiles
2. Drawbridge that can be pulled up and cover the only access way by three doors
3. Cannons
4. Well with drinking water that will enable the inhabitants to stay safe even with all supply lines are stopped.
Written January 4, 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.
Adam L
Colombo, Sri Lanka124 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Personally, there is not much happening in Matara town. Besides the beach and this Star fort. However, after visiting this place, you may want to visit the hill top restaurant and have a good drink and enjoy the breeze.
If you staying in Mirissa, this place will be a good choice to have a break from the beach.
Look out for a elderly man who sale delicious peanut for 20rp a pack!
If you staying in Mirissa, this place will be a good choice to have a break from the beach.
Look out for a elderly man who sale delicious peanut for 20rp a pack!
Written August 5, 2015
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.
debbyian
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK348 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
a small fort with a museum inside and a moat round it which contains fish, turtles and at least one crocodile
Written September 10, 2014
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.
hdias
Reigate, UK493 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
This is a lovely old Dutch colonial fort. It is very small and has been renovated. There is a small museum inside. No fee to enter.
Well worth a visit if in Matara. Easily missed but close to the bus station.
Well worth a visit if in Matara. Easily missed but close to the bus station.
Written October 9, 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.
Titus D
Sri Lanka6,908 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
This fort was built by Portuguese during their ruling period of the Dutch. It is nice & it is a historical place and happens to the Sri Lanka’s smallest fort.
Star fort is a miniature version of Dutch forts around Sri Lanka. It gives you an idea how they were designed and maintained. Star fort is a miniature version of Dutch forts around Sri Lanka. It gives you an idea how they were designed and maintained.
The fort is in good condition compare to other Dutch ruins you can see around Matara. Worth a visit.
This is the place to go to have the real feeling of Asia. An old world place which shows you the past. The fort is still in good condition compare to other Dutch ruins you can see around Matara. It is worth a visit if you are in the area.
This is the place to go to get the real feeling of Asia. Which forms an old world place which shows you the past.
It is very good to visit and make sure you give yourself some time to be able to review the whole fort. Well worth a visit, just be careful if you have small children as there are some rather high drop points.
We visited the Galle fort and thought to pay here a visit too. There is a small beach for swimming and you can enjoy that too. Polhengoda is such a calm place for swimming near Matara.
The beach is nice and this Star fort too is nice too. However, after visiting this place wanted to stay longer than thought.
It is a sensible question to ask why this fort is shaped like a star?
The Star Fort of Matara cannot compete with the Galle Fort, but if you are in the neighborhood at least pay a visit. It's a small fort with a nice gate to enter and a drawbridge. Inside the fort there's a small museum with some artifacts that are worth a glance. Not a major collection, but if you're in Matara do pay this fort a visit.
Star fort is a miniature version of Dutch forts around Sri Lanka. It gives you an idea how they were designed and maintained. Star fort is a miniature version of Dutch forts around Sri Lanka. It gives you an idea how they were designed and maintained.
The fort is in good condition compare to other Dutch ruins you can see around Matara. Worth a visit.
This is the place to go to have the real feeling of Asia. An old world place which shows you the past. The fort is still in good condition compare to other Dutch ruins you can see around Matara. It is worth a visit if you are in the area.
This is the place to go to get the real feeling of Asia. Which forms an old world place which shows you the past.
It is very good to visit and make sure you give yourself some time to be able to review the whole fort. Well worth a visit, just be careful if you have small children as there are some rather high drop points.
We visited the Galle fort and thought to pay here a visit too. There is a small beach for swimming and you can enjoy that too. Polhengoda is such a calm place for swimming near Matara.
The beach is nice and this Star fort too is nice too. However, after visiting this place wanted to stay longer than thought.
It is a sensible question to ask why this fort is shaped like a star?
The Star Fort of Matara cannot compete with the Galle Fort, but if you are in the neighborhood at least pay a visit. It's a small fort with a nice gate to enter and a drawbridge. Inside the fort there's a small museum with some artifacts that are worth a glance. Not a major collection, but if you're in Matara do pay this fort a visit.
Written July 5, 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.
Michael Rohan S
Greater Sydney, Australia993 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
This fort was built in the shape of a 6-pointed star by the Dutch in 1765 to protect the main fort that lies across the Nilwala River. Not much remains of the main fort, but the small Star Fort is beautifully preserved and maintained, including the moat that surrounds it. The grand entrance to the fort is dedicated to the Dutch Governor Lubbert Jan Van Eck. The building inside the fort houses a museum but no photography was allowed of the artefacts and other informative panels.
Written February 12, 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.
profjoypc
Alnwick, UK4,579 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
This place is a 'must see' if you are interested in the history of Matara town and its defences. It was constructed by the Dutch in 1765. It was constructed in the fascinating shape of a star and houses 12 canons which were able to cover approaches and defend the town from all directions. In 1796 it was handed over to the British. Today one can see it as a renovated place, steeped in history and can visit the museum within.
Written January 19, 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.
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