Colombo

Despite the fact that, formally, the administrative capital of Sri Lanka is the city of Sri Dzhayyavardanapura (Sri Jayawardanapura), and Colombo - only a commercial center of the country, namely Colombo (Colombo), both worldwide and in the country, according to actual capital Sri Lanka. Founded by Arab traders, and then fortified by the Portuguese, Dutch zavaevanny, rebuilt as an imposing capital, British, Colombo equally is a city of old colonial past and the vibrant business center of this. Colombo, with a population of more than 1.5 million. Man, is the political and commercial center of the country. On the one hand, Colombo is the legacy of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, which makes itself felt in the temples and monuments, names and religions, clothes, food and a smattering of their language. On the other hand, is a modern building bustling commercial and shopping districts, and 5 star hotels with nightclubs and entertainment. It is an amazing mixture of cultures and religions, ages and peoples have left their mark on the unique features of the city, where the old mansions of colonial style are combined with both skyscrapers and ancient oriental temples.

The city has many temples, mosques and churches. The most famous temple of Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara . Kelaniya Temple is a fine example of Sinhalese architecture and art. The modern church was built at the beginning of the last century, and the first historical mention of the temple belongs to the III. BC. The frescoes that adorn the walls of the temple, telling stories of the many Buddha's life, visiting the temple Buddha, myths and legends. The ancient temple is 9 km. from Colombo and attracted many visitors, including tourists. Starting from 1927, in January, a festival Durutu Perahera in honor of the temple Buddha on the eighth year after the epiphany. The grand procession of elephants, drummers, dancers, acrobats and fire-eaters have turned the procession into one of the most colorful in its own way.

Among the other attractions worth mentioning Hindu temple Katiseran (Kathiseran) to Sea Street (Pettah district), dedicated to the god of war Skanda. Temple Sri Ponnambala-Vanesvaram (Sri Ponnambalam-Vaneswaram) near Koch-chikade built from South Indian granite. Colombo 10 is worth seeing Temple Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar-Murthy (Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar Moorthy), dedicated to Shiva and Ganesha. Other noteworthy temples - the temple of Shiva Subramaniam Swami, (Shiva Subramania Swami) on the island of Slave and Sri Masumariamman temple (Sri Muthumariamman) in Colombo-13. Other attractions - St. Lucia's Cathedral, Church of Saints Anthony and Peter, the main country-Alfar Mosque Dzhamul. At 11 km. south of Colombo, in the suburb of Dehiwala, is the zoo , one of the best in Asia. Here, every evening the most interesting performances of trained elephants. It deserves attention as the National Museum of Colombo , founded in 1877. It is worth mentioning Fort - which is the center of Colombo. Fort is beautiful and crowded during the day and quite deserted at night. Served in the colonial times of military fortifications, today it serves as the commercial hub of Colombo. The main attraction of the Fort - the clock tower, built 150 years ago as a beacon. Fort is filled with banks, shops, airline offices, office buildings and hotels. On the territory of Fort many beautiful buildings of the colonial period. Fort Worth mentioning - being the center of Colombo. Fort is beautiful and crowded during the day and quite deserted at night. Served in the colonial times of military fortifications, today it serves as the commercial hub of Colombo. The main attraction of the Fort - the clock tower, built 150 years ago as a beacon. Fort is filled with banks, shops, airline offices, office buildings and hotels. On the territory of Fort many beautiful buildings of the colonial period. Fort Worth mentioning - being the center of Colombo. Fort is beautiful and crowded during the day and quite deserted at night. Served in the colonial times of military fortifications, today it serves as the commercial hub of Colombo. The main attraction of the Fort - the clock tower, built 150 years ago as a beacon. Fort is filled with banks, shops, airline offices, office buildings and hotels. On the territory of Fort many beautiful buildings of the colonial period. Missions airlines office buildings and hotels. On the territory of Fort many beautiful buildings of the colonial period. Missions airlines office buildings and hotels. On the territory of Fort many beautiful buildings of the colonial period.

Located adjacent to the Fort and is the complete opposite of his district Petah (Pettah) - is the main market of the city. The narrow cobbled streets, entirely comprised of shops, you will find the most incredible variety of goods. This is the most noisy, crowded and colorful area of Colombo. Each lane has its own specialization. For example, household goods offered on Keyzer Street. Prince Street is known for products made of glass and mirrors. In Lane Gabo Ayurvedic doctors buy medical herbs. On Sea Street are jewelery shops. Of course, Petah include vegetable and fish markets.

In recent years, appeared in Colombo modern shopping malls "ODEL UNLIMITED", "ARENA", "HOUSE OF FASHING", "MAJESTIC CITY", "LIBERTYPLAZA" with exclusive boutiques and big supermarkets. Colombo is also famous for its comfortable and modern high-class hotels: HILTON COLOMBO RESIDENCE, HOTEL TAJ SAMUDRA, THE COLOMBO PLAZA, HOTEL GALADARI, HOTEL TRANS ASIA, GRAND ORIENTAL HOTEL and others. All of these hotels offer a full range of services (swimming pools, fitness centers, restaurants, bars, night clubs, casinos, business centers, conference rooms, and more, allowing you to relax and to spend time if you come to Colombo for cases.