THEN
ABANDONED TO THE TIME OF
RAVAGE AND NEGLECT.
Back in 1884 there stood in the pristine pride, the Nugawela Walauwa – the ancestral home of the Kandyan chieftan, of the Kandyan court. This traditional stately house, a mixture of British & Sri Lankan architecture showcased the traditional Srilankan luxury in a tranquil setting.
The original roof tiles had come from India. The masonry columns was of European influence and so was the ornate burnished copper ceiling in the grand hall. List of personages of power & eminence who had dined at the Hall is hung in the Dining room. As a structure it was so unique. There was solidness that could not be denied.
Originally this grand establishment stood on 9 acres of land with paddy fields around. Later the land around was distributed among his children, leaving one acre of land for the main house. After the Adigar’s death, and after its occupation by different owners the house was a wreck. Her pride had been stripped, not even the land around her remained. The lawn and flower garden was divided and sold. The 1884 colonial structure stood fast, but over the course of ensuring decades the majestic Walauwa began to crumble through neglect and she slowly lost her majesty and its glory, but not its use.
A leap to 2004 presented a condition of enormous despair! Even more than a century of weathering had not broken the Manor’s brave spirit. A voice of some secret wraith spoke out of the crumbling ruins, calling for a return to life.
NOW
RESTORED TO ITS FORMER SPLENDOR.
In the midst of kandyan grandeur, the warmth of the Manor House will strike you instantly. The gates of Manor House now swing open to reveal a glimpse into its precious historical grandeur and its determination to remain the cynosure of Nugawela and a part of the heritage city of Kandy.
To look on the 15,000 sq.ft. Walauwa today is to know that it has not merely been restored but ardently recreated. It was a slow resurrection from the tomb. Old carvings were restored or chiseled anew. The entire garden was landscaped. The Walauwa of old is possessed a brand new shining soul, with the dust of more than a century had settled. She was a survivor, and that was exactly what attracted us. We saw the potential of transforming this three storied landmark into a stylish Luxury Boutique Hotel.
You will now find that you have come a long way from the past, for even as you enter The Manor House, you will note that village life and living has risen tremendously.
