Matara Star Fort

"During our stay in Matara, we visited the Star Fort, a fascinating historical site originally built by the Dutch during their colonial period. It was later used by the British and subsequently by the Sri Lankan government. Since 2009, the fort has been open to the public as a museum, showcasing the rich history, cultural heritage and significant landmarks of Matara.

The museum also features a souvenir shop offering beautifully illustrated booklets on Sri Lankan heritage at very reasonable prices. I purchased two of them; one on Sri Lankan art and another on art preservation, both filled with valuable information and colorful photographs.

A special mention goes to Lahiru, a staff member from the Department of Archaeology, who warmly guided us through the exhibits with detailed explanations. His attentiveness and hospitality made our visit even more memorable.

No prior reservation is required, and the entrance fee is just Rs. 100 per person. We visited on a Sunday evening and truly enjoyed this enriching experience."

Shashini Mallikage

"A few months ago, I had the chance to visit the fascinating Star Fort in Matara, Sri Lanka — a place rich in history and unique in design. Built by the Dutch in 1765 on the east bank of the Nilwala River, the fort was constructed after they realized their main fort in Matara was vulnerable to inland attacks, especially after losing it briefly during the Matara Rebellion in 1761.

What makes this fort truly stand out is its shape — a perfect six-pointed star, designed to mount 12 cannons with a full 360-degree defense view. As I walked around, I was amazed by the strong rampart walls made of granite and coral, and the wide moat that still surrounds it. It’s clear that it was built not just for defense, but also for survival — complete with prison cells, food storage, and even a deep central well for water.

The entrance, marked with the date “1765” and the Dutch East India Company insignia, still carries the legacy of its builder, Dutch Governor Lubbert Jan van Eck. The gate also bears the name "Redoute Van Eck 1763," in his honor.

Interestingly, the fort never saw any real battle action, and in 1796, it was handed over to the British. Over the years, it served various roles — from a public library to government offices — before finally being restored by the Department of Archaeology in the late 1980s. Most recently, with support from the Dutch government, the historic drawbridge was restored in 2012.

Exploring the Star Fort was like stepping back in time. It’s a compact, yet incredibly well-preserved reminder of Sri Lanka’s colonial history — and one of the most memorable spots I’ve visited on the southern coast."

Priya Sangeeth

"The museum has many pictures of artifacts, but few original pieces, and most are poorly preserved. The English translations were not great, which made it harder to understand. At 600 LKR per person, it's a bit overpriced for just two small rooms."

Mike Rossmann