Distance from Colombo to Trincomalee. The Big Journey of the Belyaevs
Trincomalee, or simply Trinco, is the main city of northeastern Sri Lanka. The cheapest, now attractive destination for independent budget travelers.
Nilaveli beach. Picture borrowed from Wikimedia Foundation
The region is populated mainly by Tamils and was controlled by separatists during the civil war. The government and businessmen ignored Trinko. But nowadays everything has changed. Luxurious beaches, cultural and historical attractions attract tourists, and the infrastructure is developing rapidly. A trip to the northeast is the right choice for those who want to relax and unwind while enjoying beautiful Sri Lanka for almost half the price of the west coast. However, prices in the Trincomalee region are also subject to growth.
Trincomalee Map
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Story
The history of Trincomalee goes back almost one and a half millennia. In ancient times, the city was known as Gokarna, a wealthy port that was controlled by various Tamil dynasties. It was visited by Marco Polo and many other travelers. But today's Trincomalee is a place born of the spirit of the colonial era. In the 17th century, the Dutch turned Trinco into a powerful military outpost. The Dutch were replaced by the British, who stationed their troops there. The British left and Trincomalee became the military center of independent Sri Lanka. For an attentive traveler, the presence of the military will not go unnoticed. But, considering that just a couple of decades ago the Tamils and Sinhalese fought here, the presence of the military is rather reassuring.
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Trincomalee, one of the best natural deep-water harbors in the world, is located 257 km northeast of Colombo. The Trincomalee region is home to beautiful beaches such as Nilaveli and Uppuveli. In addition, not far from Trincomalee is the coastal island of Pigeon. Let us also add that Trincomalee has recently become a popular place for whale watching.
The Trincomalee region, called Gokanna or Gokarna in historical records and inscriptions, is strewn with many ruins of ancient Buddhist temples and is considered the main Buddhist cultural and archaeological site of Sri Lanka. The seven hot springs at Kannia, located just 8 km from the city of Trincomalee, attract constant crowds of tourists and locals throughout the year thanks to the therapeutic properties of the water, as well as varying temperatures from one well to another.
Trincomalee on the map of Sri Lanka
Attractions Trincomalee
The strong Dutch influence in the region is evident in places like Fort Frederick. The famous Koneswaram temple is also an interesting place. Dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, the temple is one of the main sites reflecting the historical significance of Trinco.Adding to Trincomalee's distinctive natural beauty is Pigeon Island, which is a charming little rocky island off the coast of picturesque Nilaveli Beach. Famous for its blue rock pigeons, this place can be visited via a motorboat ride.
Another interesting attraction in the Trincomalee region is the group of seven hot water springs at Kannaya.
Below we will tell you about the main attractions of Trincomalee so that you can get an idea of what you can see in the area.
Koneswaram Temple
If you only have time to visit one place in Trincomalee, we recommend heading to the colorful Koneswaram Temple. In a classic medieval complex surrounded by dramatic cliffs and Gokarna Bay, you will find Trinco's greatest wealth. The temple is a major center of Hindu pilgrimage.
Fort Frederick
Like many fortifications in Sri Lanka (eg Galle Fort), Fort Frederick was built by the Portuguese, rebuilt by the Dutch and then administered by the British. Today the fortress is occupied by Sri Lankan troops, but visitors can explore several areas of it.
Fish market
The daily fish market near the bus station gives a great insight into the lives of the local people who work in the city's thriving fishing industry. Fishermen catch a variety of fish, including tuna, barracuda, and various sea creatures, and sell them at the market. The Trincomalee fish market is crowded almost all the time, so it doesn't really matter when to visit this market. However, early mornings usually offer a wide variety of fresh seafood.British War Cemetery
After Singapore fell to the Japanese during World War II, Trincomalee became the main naval and air base for the British and Allied powers in South Asia. The cemetery contains the graves of 364 British Empire soldiers who were killed or died during the Second World War. Moreover, we are not just talking about the British - citizens of Sri Lanka, India, Canada, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Italy, Myanmar and Pakistan are buried in the cemetery.
St Mary's Cathedral
This is a Catholic church built in 1852 and is the most successful of all the churches in the city. With its neo-Baroque façade and tiled roof, the church attracts many tourists.Cania Hot Springs
The seven geothermal wells in Cannia are a popular holiday destination for tourists and locals. You are also likely to see crowds of Sri Lankan schoolchildren having fun here, who often visit this place in groups. If you want to go swimming, there are separate changing rooms for men and women. Please note that the use of soap is prohibited.
Uppuveli and Nilaveli beaches
The attractive coastal communities of Uppuveli and Nilaveli offer beautiful beaches. Uppuveli Beach, which is more developed, has calmer water and is therefore better for swimming. Nilaveli Beach is a longer beach (about 4 km), but there are fewer hotels here than on Uppuveli. In addition, the waters here are less calm than at Uppuveli.
Pigeon Island National Park
With powdery white sand, volcanic rocks and lush vegetation, Pigeon Island certainly looks like an idyllic island. However, the recent surge in tourism means you'll have to work hard to find a quiet spot. In addition, the island's growing popularity means that the once pristine reef is clearly degrading. To combat this, many areas around the island have been cordoned off.
Pigeon Island is located near Nilaveli. Tourists are usually brought to this island for only two hours. The tour can be arranged through your hotel.
And the administrative capital of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, is located on the east coast of the island, approximately 180 kilometers south of Jaffna. The population of the city is 99,135 people. The city is built on a peninsula that separates the inner and outer port. Trincomalee is one of the main centers of Tamil language culture on the island. The famous ancient temple of Koneswaram was built in the city, which is mentioned in the Tamil chronicle Thirukonamalai, from which its English name comes. The city was a seaport playing a major role in Sri Lanka's maritime and international trading history.
Trincomalee Port Harbor is known for its large size and safety; unlike all others in the Indian Ocean, it is accessible to all types of sea vessels and in all weathers. The port is considered the fifth largest natural port in the world.
The coastline is used for diving, fishing and whale watching. The city also has the largest Dutch fort in Sri Lanka. It is the main base of the Sri Lanka Navy and also an air force base.
Most people simply pass through the city on their way to the nearby beaches, but the city has its own charm and a lot of history.
Historical places of Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a sacred place for the Sri Lankan Tamils and Sinhalese. There are many important Hindu historical sites in and around Trincomalee. These places are sacred to Hindus and also some Buddhists worship at these Hindu places.
Despite the fact that Mahasena once destroyed the Sivan temple and built a Mahayana Buddhist temple on the top of the mountain, Hindus maintain peaceful relations with the minority of Sinhala Buddhists living here.
Hindu historical places
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