Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa - The medieval capital

Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya Sleeping Buddha
Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya Sleeping Buddha

King "The great Parakramabahu" Ancient Buddha statues in Polonnaruwa
King "The great Parakramabahu" Ancient Buddha statues in Polonnaruwa




The Island's medieval capital (11th to 13th century AD) situated 216 km North-east of Colombo, rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura. The city in it's day was fortified with concentric walls, beautified with parks, gardens and sanctified by many shrines. The largest of the man-made reservoirs - the "Parakrama Samudra" is larger in size than the Colombo Harbour. Other most important place of the city is ''Gal Viharaya'' where one can see three masterpieces sculptures of The Buddha depicting standing, sitting and reclining postures carved out of rock.