Dutch Church, Kalpitiya

The Dutch Reformed Church in Kalpitiya is a significant monument of the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. Constructed around 1706, it is one of the oldest Protestant churches in the country. Located just a short distance from the famous Dutch Fort, the church is a smaller architectural cousin to the well-known church in the Matara Fort.

The building is renowned for its simple yet imposing colonial style, featuring thick coral and limestone walls, a high gabled roof (which has seen restoration), and large arched windows that allow light to flood the interior. A unique feature of this site is the floor, which is paved with authentic tombstones of Dutch officials and their families, bearing inscriptions that date back centuries. Though services are no longer held regularly, the church stands as a quiet museum of history, managed by the Department of Archaeology, inviting visitors to step back in time and appreciate the enduring legacy of the Dutch East India Company in the region.