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A visit to Negombo will not be complete without visiting some of the amazing historical churches that the city is famous for. Among the more than 50 Portuguese era churches and shrines in the city is the Katuwapitiya church, dedicated to the patron saint of the city, St. Sebastian. It is a historically important monument as well as a place of devotion for the parishioners of one of the biggest and oldest parishes in Negombo. The church modeled on Reims Cathedral in France, was designed by the parish priest of the time and construction commenced in 1936; due to a shortage of funds however, it took nearly ten years to be completed and the height of the edifice had to be sacrificed. Despite these drawbacks services have been conducted at the site throughout. The soaring white painted spires of the beautifully proportioned church and an interior lit by natural light that streams in through its many windows is very much a part of the architectural heritage of Negombo. While serving the spiritual needs of its parishioners the church has also been the centre of promoting cultural activity in the area. It was one of the first churches in the country to perform services in keeping with local cultural norms and to celebrate the life of St. Sebastian on his feast day. This was done not only with a procession and fun activities but also with a passion play based on the Tamil 'Nadagam' style drama. The best time to visit the church is during its saint's feast day which is celebrated in the middle of the year with much pomp and religious processions, while a fun fair like atmosphere prevails in the surrounding area. People of all faiths tend to gravitate here to enjoy the streets decorated with palms and strings of coloured lights and to take a look at the wares of vendors lining the area and undoubtedly to sample the scrumptious sweet and savoury street food and other traditional delicacies that Negombo is famous for. Stay at Jetwing Lagoon, a Negombo resort to enjoy the benefits of a wonderful waterfront location with access to a range of water sports and for the all day enjoyment of a golden sliver of beach. As a well known Sri Lanka spa resort the hotel offers guests well designed contemporary accommodation and access to a range of facilities and amenities that include authentic local and international cuisine to please most palates and heavenly spa treatments to ease jetlag and stress. Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
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