National Museum, Colombo

National Museum, Colombo, Sri Lanka (3 September, 2005)


National Museum (GPS: 6.91045, 79.86099) at Albert Crescent is the oldest and most prestigious museum in Sri Lanka. It is located at Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha (Albert Crescent), Colombo. The colonial building housing it was constructed in 1877 by Sir William Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon between 1872-1877. Sir William's statue adorns the lawn of the National Museum.

The architect of the National Museum was Arasy Marikar Wapuche, a Muslim descendant of Moorish people who is famous for his buildings in Grenada and Cordova. The British commissioners were said to be so pleased with the building he designed that they promised to grant him any reward he so desired. The devout architect responded that he wished to be allowed the freedom to worship on Fridays. That wish was granted, and the National Museum is closed every Friday so that its Muslim workers can perform their Friday prayers.

Driveway, National Museum, Colombo (3 September, 2005)


Although the National Museum is highly regarded, I was a bit put off that such a prestigious organisation does not even have air conditioning! But then again, I was coming from a country where almost every building is air conditioned, so perhaps it is not fair for me to impose my level of expectation to a different country.

The collection provides a good coverage of Sri Lankan history, beginning with artefacts from Anuradhapura, and going through the many centuries. In addition, there were representation of cultural artefacts, Kandyan art, dance masks, puppetry, etc. Anybody who has the time to slowly go through the exhibits should be quite engrossed.

Address

National Museum
Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha,
Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka.
Phone: +94 112 695 366

Ancient artifacts, National Museum (3 September, 2005)


Stone statue, National Museum (3 September, 2005)


Tribal masks, National Museum (3 September, 2005)


Whale skeleton, National Museum (3 September, 2005)


Folk puppets, National Museum (3 September, 2005)


Stairs, National Museum (3 September, 2005)


Furniture and pots, National Museum (3 September, 2005)

The National Museum on Google Maps Street View

National Museum (Nov 2015)

The National Museum is on the Map of Colombo

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.