Maduwanwela Walauwa (walauwa refers to an ancestral house) also known as the Burutha Maligawa (“satinwood castle”), was originally built in the 18th century by Maduwanwela Maha Mohottala during the Dutch occupation. The Walauwa has been home to six generations of the Maduwanwela family. The current layout of the house dates back to the time of the last of the line, Sir James William Maduwanwela Maha Dissawa, born in 1844, popularly known as the Black Prince of Sabaragamuwa. He completed work on the house in 1905, adding 121 rooms, 21 inner compounds or meda midulas, three security walls, and a complete court house.
A unique feature of the Maduwanwela Walawwa is the door frames, all less than two meters high. Maduwanwela Dissawa was a small-made person and made the door frames to fit his size. Most of the foreign officials, who frequently visited for official work, had to enter the house by bending, which they did not enjoy very much.
The paved floors have been laid out in a mosaic style with chipped tiles. The colourful and intricate detailing in the mixture leaves an impressive, lasting impression about the walauwa on any visitor. The tiles were laid in 1905 yetare still in excellent condition. This is about 45 Minutes drive from the Hotel Premics.
No comments:
Post a Comment