Colombo Photo Gallery - City Centre (Fort & Pettah)

The Fort neighbourhood fronts the harbour and is home to many colonial buildings from the British era. This area was the original Portuguese fort in the 16th century. East of it is Pettah, an extension of the commercial district with bazaars and crowds.

The World Trade Center's twin towers opened in 1997 and is a good visual landmark on your walking tour.

The Fort's railway station is busy with buses, tuk tuks, and people.

The neighbouring streets are full of shops selling anything that you can imagine.

Your old mobile phones also get a new life here.

Tourists were difficult to find so I had entire streets pretty much all to myself on a sunny Sunday afternoon. But taxi touts were in full operation, with many trying to entice me to a scam ... or elephant festival viewing.

There are several grand colonial buildings en route. Cargills opened as a department store in 1906. The distinctive red and white exterior pattern makes it instantly recognizable.

The Grand Oriental Hotel was an army barracks when it was built in 1837 and became a hotel in 1875. Upstairs, it is still possible to see the port from here.

The port authority is just a few steps away.

The Lighthouse Clock Tower opened in 1857 and served as a lighthouse until 1952. This is the starting point of road measurements.