Balana Fort was a fortified pass of the Kingdom of Kandy located near the Alagalla Mountain Range, Sri Lanka. Balana which means the 'look out' in Sinhala, functioned as a strategic outpost and fortress of the kingdom which was situated along the historical Colombo-Kandy road.
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Balana Fort
Balana Fort is a historic fort located near the Alagalla mountain range in Sri Lanka. It held military importance during the Kingdom of Kandy. The word "Balana" in Sinhala means "a place to observe." Due to its position on the ancient Colombo–Kandy road, it was used for surveillance and defense against invasions.
The fort is believed to have been established in the late 16th century, during the reign of King Vimaladharmasuriya I. It played a crucial strategic role in defeating the Sitawaka army in 1593 and the Portuguese forces in 1603. The presence of bastions (angled defensive walls) around the fort indicates that it was entirely built by the Sinhalese, as such architectural designs are not found in European-style forts.
Today, the upper and lower parts of Balana Fort can still be visited by tourists. The upper fort is located at the highest point of Balana mountain and has a rectangular shape with three surrounding bastions and an entrance on the eastern side.
The lower fort is now covered, but archaeological investigations have revealed features such as a dry moat surrounding the fort, showcasing its extensive defensive structure.
The fort is located just before the village of Balana on the Balana–Kadugannawa road, about 500 meters from the main road. It is a very easily...
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Balana Fort is a quiet and historically significant place I visited, located close to Mawanella. What makes this site special is its peaceful atmosphere – you don’t need to buy tickets to enter, and there’s no official parking area, but since it’s not a busy place, vehicles can be parked safely by the roadside nearby.
From the fort, you get breathtaking panoramic views. On a clear day, you can see several famous landmarks such as Bathalegala Rock (Bible Rock), Saradiel Rock, Dewanagala Rock, and even parts of Alagalla Rock. Looking down, you can also see Mawanella town in the distance, which makes the scenery even more rewarding.
The road leading to Balana Fort itself is unique – along the way, I noticed several very old coffee trees still growing by the roadside, reminders of the region’s colonial past when coffee cultivation was widespread.
Overall, Balana Fort is a hidden gem – quiet, naturally beautiful, and rich with history. It’s not crowded like many tourist spots, making it a perfect place to enjoy nature, history, and panoramic...
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Located about 6km away from the Colombo Kandy A1 highway. A military security observation fort built in A.D.1592-1604 during the era of The 1st King Wlmaladharmasuriya of Kandyan Kingdom. The security surveillance from the fort strategically helped the king's forces to successfully dismantle the attack by Portuguese army lead by Lopez de Souza at Danture in the year 1597.
There's a clear visibility of the ancient path to enter the Kandyan Kingdom through the Balana Pass. The railway track between Balana and Kadugannawa stations is visible. The view of sunset must be beautiful. The access walking path from the main road (500m) is in a good condition. The place can be promoted as a key tourist attraction with some promotion, directional boards from the highway. And some facilities for visitors at...
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