Originally the home to the Dutch Governor, Thomas van Rhae, this 17th century residence was turned into a Catholic Seminary in 1696. The British converted the building into a military hospital in 1796, and soon after a post office. At some point, it may have also served as an orphanage and a police station!

In 1977, with financial aid from the Dutch, this colonnaded mansion was restored. In 1982 it opened its doors to the public, to serve another function, as a museum showcasing and displaying artifacts from the Dutch period (1685 - 1796) and the interactions of the Dutch with the Kandyan Kingdom.

The Dutch Periond Museum is surrounded by a landscaped garden which includes some interesting old tomb stones.

Address: 95, Prince Street, Col- 11 (Pettah)

Telephone: +94 11 2448 466

Opening times: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9am to 5pm

Admission: Foreign children Rs300 and foreign adults Rs500

Photographs: Camera Fee Rs.160 | Video Fee Rs.1,500

*The use of special equipment to photograph or video museum exhibits is prohibited without prior permission from the Director.