A silent sentinel stands tall. The Old Colombo Lighthouse. Or is it? For this imposing structure now serves a different purpose. It’s a clock tower. A testament to time’s relentless march.
The Old Colombo Lighthouse. It’s more than just a landmark. It’s a story etched in brick and mortar. A tale of transformation. It began life as a lighthouse in 1829. A neoclassical beacon. A wooden tower rising 23 meters from a circular brick building. It stood on a bastion. It stood proudly at the ocean’s edge. It guided ships safely through treacherous waters.
But times change. The city grew. Buildings obscured its light. In 1952 it was decommissioned. The original lighthouse was demolished. A new chapter was written.
Its replacement a modern marvel. The Galle Buck Lighthouse on Marine Drive. The Old Colombo Lighthouse. Though its original purpose ceased. Its story wasn’t over.
In 1856 a new structure arose. A clock tower. A design by Emily Elizabeth Ward wife of Governor Sir Henry George Ward. This 29 meter tower was Colombo’s tallest. It stood even taller than its predecessor. A symbol of progress.
The clock itself a masterpiece. Created by Dent. The same firm behind Big Ben. A main bell weighing approximately 250 kg and two auxiliary bells adding to its sonic resonance. In 1867 the navigational light was moved to this new tower. A clockwork marvel. A dioptric light visible for 27 kilometers. It shone brightly with kerosene then gas then electricity.
The clock however wasn’t without its issues. In 1913 it required a replacement. The current clock with its six-foot opal glass dial was installed. It continues to mark the passage of time. A lasting reminder of the lighthouse that once stood.
The Old Colombo Lighthouse now stands silent. Its light extinguished. But its legacy endures. A quiet observer of Colombo’s transformation. A reminder of its maritime past and a symbol of its enduring spirit. A story of change. A story of time. A story of resilience. A story etched into the very fabric of the city. The Old Colombo Lighthouse.