Jaffna Fort
A huge star-shaped fort built by the Portuguese and Dutch on the edge of the lagoon, its ramparts slowly being restored after the civil war, with wide views over the water.
Jaffna Fort tells the whole story of the north in one place. The Portuguese built the first fort here, the Dutch turned it into the huge star-shaped stronghold you see today, the British held it after them, and during the long civil war it was fought over and badly damaged. Now it sits quietly on the edge of the lagoon, its ramparts slowly being restored, one of the largest and finest Dutch forts in Asia.
It is a place to walk rather than a museum to file through. You climb up onto the thick coral-stone walls and follow them round, with the lagoon on one side and the town on the other, past the ruins of the old church and colonial buildings inside. There is a small museum within the walls, but the pleasure is really in the wandering and in the wide, flat views over the water.
Late afternoon is the moment to come, when the heat eases and the light goes gold over the lagoon, and it is a favourite spot for locals to sit out at the end of the day. It is right in Jaffna town, so it fits easily into a day that also takes in the Nallur temple, the rebuilt public library and a plate of the region's famous crab curry.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free
- Opening hours: 7:00am to 6:00pm
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time: Late afternoon
Getting there
On the lagoon edge of Jaffna town, near the Pannai causeway.
Before you go
- Come in the late afternoon for cooler air and the best light over the lagoon.
- Walk the full loop of the ramparts for the views. It is flat and easy going.
- It is free and central, so it slots naturally alongside Nallur temple and the public library.
- There is little shade on the walls, so bring water if you come earlier in the day.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Jaffna Fort worth visiting?
- Yes. It is one of the largest Dutch forts in Asia, with a powerful history running from colonial times through the civil war, and the rampart walk over the lagoon is a lovely, low-key way to spend an hour, especially at sunset.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry to the fort is free. There is only a small charge if you visit the little museum inside.
- How long do you need?
- About an hour to walk the ramparts and explore the ruins inside. It combines easily with the other sights in Jaffna town.
- What is nearby?
- The Nallur Kandaswamy temple, the famous rebuilt public library, and the town's celebrated crab curry are all a short ride away.