The Galle Maritime Archaeological Museum is located in one of the most unique and oldest Dutch buildings in Galle Fort. It is located in the massive "Dutch Warehouse" built in 1671 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to store spices and other trade goods. The architecture of this building, which is visible to the right as you enter the Galle Fort gate, is a sight to behold.

This museum beautifully illustrates how Sri Lanka was a major trading center in the Indian Ocean for thousands of years and the historical importance of the Galle Port. What is special here is that it displays artifacts discovered by exploring shipwrecks on the seabed around the Galle Port, rather than things found on land.

Managed by the Central Cultural Fund (CCF), the main attractions include:

1. Shipwrecks: Anchors, cannons, and ship parts recovered from famous Dutch ships such as the "Avondster" (1659) and other European, Arab, and Chinese ships.
2. Merchandise: Ceramics, glass bottles, coins, and other trade items that have been preserved on the seabed for centuries.
3. Maritime History: Ancient world maps, ship models, and nautical instruments explain how sea travel and trade took place in the past.
4. Evolution of Galle Harbor: Information on Galle's location as a natural harbor and how it developed over time.

In short, this is a wonderful window that brings the hidden history of the seabed to the land.