Badulla Dutch Fort (Old Welekade Market)

Description

Old Welekade Market, previously known as Badulla Dutch fort, is situated in the district of Badulla. It is near Badulla-Bandarwela road. The distance from Ella to Old Welekade Market is just 21.6 km which is just a 40-minute long ride.
It has been a protected building since June 06th, 2008. The Archeological Department of Sri Lanka presently controls the building. This place was utilized as a castle or fortress by the Dutch, while others say it was built by the British in 1889.
It is recognized as one of the acts done in the Badulla district after the British signed the Kandyan Convention with Sri Lankan heads in 1818. It consists of British-style wooden arches, which can be seen up to date, and it also consists of a high central roof and a lower roof with four entrances. In the inner space, there is an octagonal primary compound and four cross-shaped yards. Another building was built in the shape of crosses; this is done to maintain the archeological and architectural values.