After a difficult period during the war, the fascinating town of Trincomalee, also known as Trinco, is beginning to thrive again. Trincomalee sits on one the world’s finest natural harbours. Straddling a narrow peninsula between the Indian Ocean and the Inner Harbour, rising up to the imposing Swami Rock, Trincomalee presents a truly stunning setting. The sites of historic Gokana in the Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle), and its Shiva temple the site of Trikuta Hill in the Hindu text Vayu Purana are old and intriguing almost beyond reckoning.
Many tourists will simply transit through Trincomalee en-route to the nearby beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli, and that is a mistake. This destination has an interesting old fort and sleepy backstreets lined with pretty colonial villas dotted with mosques, churches and dozens of colourful little Hindu temples. The understated but distinct charm, depth of history and a charismatic population makes Trincomalee a must visit destination- even it is simply for a “change of scenery” day trip from the beach.
