Galle Fort is a kind of beautiful anomaly in Sri Lanka - a little maze of boutiques, gem stores and gorgeously restyled properties.

Pricing for property for sale within the Fort is a little exceptional too.

As ever, there’s a range, but you’ll typically see perch (the standard land measure - 5 square metres) pricing between LKR 10-15m.

For obvious reasons, land plots are generally relatively small within the Fort; villas often on plots between 10-15 perches. Renovated villas for sale on plots that size are being offered for between USD 1.5-2.2m.

Those numbers stand far apart from much else in Sri Lanka. You only really see comparable pricing in central Colombo. But with the continuing unique attraction of the Fort, and the very defined limits on new development, there’s some justification for the higher price points.

There’s probably no other urban space in Sri Lanka that’s so carefully preserved its historical pedigree as Galle Fort.

Architecturally it shows off a mix of British, Portuguese and Dutch styles and its evolution from a largely residential space to one actively buzzing with retail and hospitality venues has been made with good sensitivity to that history. As a consequence, the Fort has a unique and totally charming architectural aesthetic.

Enclosed within the ramparts, it’s also unique amongst other urban spaces in Sri Lanka in having a density of attractive retail and hospitality spaces. You’ll be hard-pressed anywhere else on the island to find such a number of restaurants, cafes and boutique hotels all within a short stroll of each other.

In terms of locations on Sri Lanka’s South Coast there are definitely new spots that are pulling in visitors and the days of every tourist stopping at Galle and the Fort are probably gone.

But, as above, it remains, for several reasons, a totally unique attraction on the island and we don’t see that changing.

Where other locations have slightly slipped from the perch, Galle Fort is so uniquely protected as to have retained the charm and character that make it special.

Property for sale in Galle Fort no doubt comes with more considerations re. development than in other locations in Sri Lanka.

Permissions for excavation will need to be sought from The Department of Archaeology and as Special Regulatory Area under the Urban Development Authority there are greater restrictions on how land and buildings can be used.

There are specific restrictions in place too to preserve the aesthetic style of the Fort. Rules are in place governing the types of materials and finishes that can be used.

All of these restrictions are in place for good reason, of course. And should be seen as positively protecting what makes Galle Fort so special.