Galle Fort Sun and Moon Bastions: sunset cannon firing and coral stone wave breakers?
What strategic cross-fire angles and wave-absorbing coral breakwaters protect the twin landward bastions of Galle Fort?
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3 Answers from travellers
Sun Bastion (Zon) and Moon Bastion (Maan), linked by the central Rock-Gate ravelin, form the primary landward defense wall of Galle Fort facing the modern city of Galle. Engineered by the Dutch VOC in 1667 to replace vulnerable Portuguese earthworks, these massive triangular stone bastions were positioned to provide overlapping artillery cross-fire across the dry moat and glacis. The outer walls are built from dense coral limestone blocks that absorb cannonball impact energy without catastrophic structural shattering.
The wide grassy top of Moon Bastion serves as a popular public viewing terrace where visitors gather each evening to watch the sun set over the cricket stadium.
Below the bastions, the dry moat has been converted into public parkland and tennis courts flanked by historic fortification walls.
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