Portuguese built the first fort to withstand attack from the Sri Lankan kingdoms to the north. Dutch who captured the coastal cities from the Portuguese improved the defence system of the fort, widening the moat on the landside, improving the ramparts and the bastions. British who captured the city did not make many changes as they shifted the part to the northern town of Colombo and therefore the atmosphere of Dutch days are preserved to date. The Dutch entrance to the fort with it VOC with 1669 carved in the inner archway is still in use. Still there are many old Dutch buildings intact and, but unfortunately except for those in the private hands. The ramparts and the bastions still bring to life the old world. Galle fort is famous as a Dutch fort, the construction of the fort was started by Portuguese. Actually Galle was considered as the place where Portuguese first arrived to Sri Lanka in 1505. The famous Portuguese invader "Lorenzo de Almeida" was able to make a close connection with the Sri Lankan king Dharmaparakramabahu and got his blessing to built a camp, which was done to ensure the safety of Sri Lanka. But ultimately this place became a prison for the local Sinhalese community who were against the cruel Portuguese rulers.