Galle Fort Old Gate VOC heraldic crest: 1669 date stone and carved lions bas-relief?
What heraldic symbols, VOC monogram, and 1669 date stone embellish the historic stone masonry Old Gate facing the Galle cricket stadium?
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4 Answers from travellers
The Old Gate of Galle Fort, located along the northern rampart curtain facing the Colombo road and cricket stadium, served as the original primary land entrance before the British pierced the main gate in 1873. Carved into the exterior stone pediment above the arched stone portal is the heraldic crest of the Dutch East India Company (VOC monogram flanked by two carved lions holding shields), accompanied by the construction date stone "ANNO 1669." The interior features vaulted stone guard-rooms designed for Dutch garrison soldiers monitoring incoming carriage traffic.
On the inner courtyard side facing the fort streets, the pediment displays the British royal coat of arms added following British occupation in 1796.
The masonry is constructed from dressed laterite and coral blocks coated in lime plaster that highlights carved heraldic reliefs.
Walking through the vaulted Old Gate tunnel brings visitors directly onto Pedlar Street inside the historic fort grid.
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