Star Fort Matara: A Geometric Marvel of Dutch Military Engineering

Built in 1765 as an impregnable stronghold, this six-pointed wonder showcases Dutch military genius:

• Precision geometry allowing 360° cannon coverage
• Original 12 cannon positions still intact
• Deep protective moat (now dry but visible)
• Last Dutch fortification built before British takeover

Architectural Highlights

Defensive Innovations

• Angled walls to ricochet cannonballs
• Secret escape tunnel to Matara Fort (now sealed)
• Three-tiered firing positions for layered defense

Historic Details

• Original 1765 inscription above entrance
• Governor Van Eck's coat of arms carved in stone
• Powder magazine with temperature-control design
• Officers' quarters with Dutch tile remnants

The 1762 Matara Rebellion Context

• Kandyan forces briefly captured the fort in 1763
• Dutch responded with thicker walls (2.4m->3.6m)
• Star Fort became supply depot during uprisings
• Final surrender to British without battle in 1796

Visitor Experience Today

• Location: Station Rd, Matara (10-min walk from main fort)
• Hours: 8:30AM-5PM (Golden hour photography at 4-5PM)
• Entry: $2 (Includes small museum)

Must-See Features:

1. The mathematical precision of the star angles
2. Original iron hinges on massive entrance gates
3. Museum exhibits of Dutch military artifacts

Photography Tips

• Drone shots reveal perfect symmetry (get permission)
• Late afternoon light enhances wall textures
• Macro shots of carved VOC insignias

Nearby Historical Sites

• Matara Main Fort (Dutch, 1645)
• Parevi Duwa Temple (Kandyan-era paintings)
• Dutch Canal System (Still functioning)

From Our Historians

"The Star Fort represents the Dutch East India Company at both its most paranoid and most brilliant - a beautiful but deadly flower of colonial power." - Dr. R. Wijesinha, Military Architecture Scholar

Book a Specialized Tour

Want to decode military engineering secrets? Sri Lanka Tour Help offers:

• Fortification comparison tours (Portuguese/Dutch/British)
• Architectural drawing workshops
• Sunset history walks with cocktails

Contact us for an insider's perspective!