Snapshot
Lunuganga is the one-time countryside retreat of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, and now attracts a steady stream of admirers eager to see the house and the beautiful gardens in which it rests.
Duration: 3 hours
Best Time: Year-round
Additional Information
Nestled in the banks of the Dedduwa Lake in Bentota, it spans over 15 acres. This tropical home on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka was both his muse and country retreat. It is said that Bawa’s work at Lunuganga ignited his passion in architecture and encouraged him to move from his legal practice to become the island’s most celebrated architect.
The house itself is a charming retreat, which celebrates oneness with nature. Spacious and bright, the character filled rooms are adorned with exquisite paintings. Everywhere you wander in Lunuganga, you will come across fascinating views framed by either a balustrade, a window, wooden arches or simply through a doorway.
The pavilions, garden cottages, courtyards are all connected with terraces, steps, platforms and boardwalks. The gardens feature a natural flow of spaces, where wild hibiscus, jasmine and other tropical jungle flowers are casually planted. A true reflection of tropical modernism, Bawa’s garden is a captivating profusion of sculptures, structures and tropical trees that does not fail to amuse the visitor.
The Water Garden is yet another hidden surprise found in the Lunuganga estate. ‘The Water Gate’ at the edge of the Dedduwa lake is the departure point for excursions into the scenic lake and also the two islands of Appaladuwa and Honduwa.
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