The rock fortress that sits atop Sigiriya has long been one of the most enduring images associated with Sri Lanka, and it continues to be one of the most must-visit attractions you’ll find on the island. Sigiriya has also been named as a world heritage site and has been declared one of the best-preserved examples of urban planning in the ancient world.
According to ancient historical texts, Sigiriya was chosen to be the new capital of the Sinhalese nation by King Kashyapa in the closing years of the 5th century. Following this decision, the King erected a grand palace atop the rock, decorated the path up to it with beautiful frescoes and built a gateway that resembled an enormous lion with its maw open. The very name Sigiriya translates to ‘lion rock’. Following the King’s death, the fortress was abandoned and the capital was shifted. However, Sigiriya would then go onto become a refuge for Buddhist monks and would become a fully-fledged Buddhist monastery by the 14th century.
For someone visiting the site today, there’s much and more to see. For starters, there are the famous Sigiriya frescoes which bear an uncommon style rarely seen in other archaeological sites belonging to the same era. Renowned British archaeologist John Still once noted that the face of the hill which adorned the frescoes resembled a massive art gallery – perhaps the largest in the world!
The mirror wall of Sigiriya will be encountered by all those making the trek up to the peak. Legend says that the rocks here were so well polished that the King would often visit to admire his own reflection in them. Nowadays, the walls are littered with various verses scribbled on by travelling pilgrims – some of which have been dated as far back as the 8th century.
Finally, the gardens of Sigiriya are perhaps its most defining features and are among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. These are divided into districts – namely, the water gardens, cave gardens and the terraced gardens. These ancient constructs are among the most spectacular and picturesque sights you’ll see during your time in the emerald isle.
