HISTORY OF MATARA CITY 
The old market which stands by the side of the main road at Nupe was built around 1775 by the Dutch. This is the first spectacular building one can see while coming from Colombo at the right side of the main road. It is still being maintained with its pristine structure. Though it had been a market in the past, today it is being used as a cultural center where traditional dances and other art activities take place.
The Dutch Fort rampart is a spectacular sight for anyone who visit Matara city.
It extends from the river Nilwala to the Beach Road, which is by the sea side.
Its length is about 50 meters and the height is about 9 meters from the ground. And the width of the rampart is about 2 meters upon which people can walk about. The top of the rampart which is paved with grass is a quite safe place for those who can have a view of the town. The whole area is maintained and remains unchanged even today with its pristine glory of the Dutch rulers.
Fort of Matara is the center of Administration of the whole district where you can find the District Secretariat, Divisional Secretariat of Matara division, all the courts of law and many other state offices. Another important building one can see is an old Dutch church built around 1775.
On the center of the rampart is the clock tower which you can see in the picture. It is about 12 meters in height. It has been built in 1765 by Dutch. It has been maintained by the successive local authorities. Even today it stands as a monument of the Dutch rulers with its same old pristine glory. Though the machine of the clock was repaired and serviced regularly the architecture of the structure remains unchanged. It is a legacy left by the Dutch who ruled this country for more than a century.
Having in previous numbers of this Journal given our readers illustrations of the three principal Dutch Churches in Ceylon, viz., those at Wolvendaal, Galle, and Jaffna, we now present them with a sketch of the Church at Matara which, although not of the same pretensions as the others in regard to size or architecture, is yet superior in every respect to the numerous village churches which were scattered about in various parts of the Dutch dominions, of which some exist to the present day.( More )
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