Hotels in Kadugannawa: Railway History and Captain Dawson Tower

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Pure Luxury

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Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

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Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

Kadugannawa brings together railway history and memorial sites at Kadugannawa Pass. The railway station and National Railway Museum represent different aspects of the railway theme: the Main Line and the story of the first train journey in Sri Lanka. Captain Dawson Tower commemorates Captain W. F. Dawson; nearby, the historic Balana Pass area adds a perspective on past conflicts. When looking for a hotel, you can therefore consider whether Kadugannawa’s railway and tower history should shape your stay, or whether you would also like to include Balana.

Railway and Museum

Kadugannawa railway station is on the Main Line of Sri Lanka Railways, 105.537 kilometres from Fort railway station. This places Kadugannawa along the railway line; for your actual connection and travel date, consult the current timetable.

The National Railway Museum opened in Kadugannawa on 27 December 2014 to mark the 150th anniversary of the first train journey in Sri Lanka. This anniversary gives the museum a clear connection to the country’s railway history. The museum is dedicated to old locomotives and railway carriages, as well as machinery and equipment. These two perspectives complement each other without being the same: the railway station is on the Main Line, while the museum recalls the first train journey and historic railway vehicles.

Captain Dawson Tower and the History of the Pass

Captain Dawson Tower was built at Kadugannawa Pass in 1832 in memory of Captain W. F. Dawson. Its year of construction and purpose give the tower a different historical role from the Railway Museum: here, the focus is on a person being commemorated, while the museum marks the anniversary of the first train journey. The tower’s renovation was completed in 2010 with financial support from the Central Provincial Council; the Department of Archaeology and the Regional Economic Development Agency (REDA) were involved. After the work was completed, the tower reopened to the public for visits. The road through the rock is also a tourist attraction. Before visiting the museum or tower, it is advisable to check current access arrangements.

The Nearby Balana Pass Area

The historic Balana Pass area lies near the destination. From the vicinity of Kadugannawa railway station, it can be reached via a route that runs for five kilometres along Potthapitiya Road and then branches onto the road to Balana. Balana Fortress is a historic site where foreign invaders suffered defeats. Access to Balana Fortress leads away from the road and continues for about 500 metres on foot through a tea plantation.

The distances address different planning questions: the five kilometres refers to the route along Potthapitiya Road, while the roughly 500 metres describes the walk to the Fortress. Check current road and path conditions before making the detour.

Discover more destinations: Wattegama, Gampola, Hedeniya, Peradeniya, Kandy, Deltota, Digana, Gatambe.

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