MUSEUM — GALLERY — CAFÉ / RESTAURANT
A haven of peace, just 10km from Kandy...
Suiyakantha Centre for Art & Culture
A place immersed in history, art, and the rich tapestry of world cultures…
Come and discover this magnificent tri-centennial "Heritage House," nestled in lush vegetation, shaped by the inimitable tropical magic that characterizes the temperate climate of the island's second city, Kandy.
The SURIYAKANTHA Center for Art and Culture is an unforgettable place located in the heart of Sri Lanka's cultural capital, Kandy.
The historic residence of a village chief, locally known as "walawwa," has now been transformed into a functional and modern art center, carefully preserving its 18th-century colonial-style architecture.
The rich collection housed in the center reflects the passion of its founders, the late Rohan de Silva and Dr. Jacques Soulié. It includes traditional furniture, artworks, ancient books, including precious original historical editions, photographs, and postcards, showcasing the encounter between two civilizations: the East and the West.
A touch of history...…
The available written archives provide valuable information about the history of Naranwala Walawwa, which now houses the Suiyakantha Centre for Art and Culture. These sources allow us to trace the origins of the current building back to the 18th century, during the period of the Kingdom of Kandy.
According to the surviving documents, King Sri Vimaladharmasuriya II (1687-1707) allegedly granted a certain Jayasundara Mudaliya "a plot of land located in the Udunuwara district." There is no doubt that this estate refers to the very site where the current Naranwala "Walawwa" stands, with the term "Walawwa" in Sinhala referring to the residence of an aristocrat.
The architecture of the building is a representative example of what is commonly known as the "Dutch style," which was influenced during the partial colonization of the island by the Dutch (1658-1796). This style characterises the residences of aristocrats holding official positions with the king until the surrender of Kandy in 1815.
Located in close proximity to the Royal Court of Kandy and enjoying various privileges, Naranwala Walawwa had its heyday in the 18th century. However, from 1815, the year that marked the end of the Kandyan kingdom's resistance against the British colonisers, Naranwala Walawwa began an inexorable decline, both architecturally and socially.
The trend was only reversed in the very late years of the last century when a new chapter of this historically significant place was about to be rewritten…
Interview of Dr Jacques Soulié
Retired psychatrist and co-fonder of the Suriyakantha Centre for Art & Culture
Contact Us
Would you like to visit our center or would you like to know more?
Or perhaps leave us your feedback after your visit?
Please contact us using the form below.
Suriyakantha Centre for Art & Culture
Naranwala
Handessa 20480
SRI LANKA
Tel.: +94 812-315-544
E-Mail: info@suriyakantha.org
GPS Coordinates: 7.237136636101057, 80.5794086261031
Share your experience!
Warm welcome from Mr. Soulié, who shares with you an exceptional moment and a delicious meal in his beautifully restored house. Magical! My best memory of Sri Lanka!
The meeting with the owner and his desire to share is a delight in itself. Stay for lunch and your experience will be complete. The typically Sri Lankan meal is excellent, and the staff is very attentive.
Just a few minutes from the center of Kandy, on the famous "temple route", this place is ideal for escaping the bustle of the city [...] The meal [served] in the inner courtyard, in a calming and rejuvenating setting, is unforgettable.
A big thank you to Jacques for exceeptionally accepting to give us a tour without prior reservation of this beautiful house filled with history and various personal collections. We highly recommend this visit. Patrick and Joëlle, from Brittany...