Sri Lanka Tourism Advisor - Travel and Tourism Information

Sigiriya - 8th wonder of the world



Sigiriya , also known as Lion Mountain is a rock fortress built by king Kashyapa in 5th Century AD. The remains of the royal palace along with the royal swimming pool could be seen on the summit, which is about 300metres above sea level covering about 3 hectares.



Sigiriya, the rock fortress Sigiriya paintings


Lion Paw Sigiriya fountains from above





Royal pleasure gardens : These are supposed to be one of the earliest extended landscaped gardens in Asia. It is evident that these gardens have been geometrically planned. The ancient hydraulic system, which supplied water to fountains in the garden, was discovered recently and restored by local engineers. Now the fountains are functioning as smoothly as they did 1500 years ago.

Paintings also known as frescoes : These paintings dates back to the 5th Century are located in a depression on the rock face about 100 meters above ground level .It is believed these paintings depict the ''apsaras'' or goddess and some says it represent the lightning and clouds, so fulfilling king Kashyapa's wish to look his palace on the summit as the celestial abode where Kashyapa would rule the country like a god himself.

Mirror Wall: Another distinctive feature of the Sigiriya and it located just below the paintings, surface of this wall is well polished and cover with the writing known as ''Sigiri graffiti'' which are in form of poems. The poems were written by the people who visited place since 7th Century expressing their amazement about the paintings , and about the whole place.

The Lion staircase: This will lead to the summit, and special feature of this is the massive Lion Paw, which is carved out of rock. The brick wall is still preserved in original form. Sigiriya is being currently excavated and restored by UNESCO under the Cultural Triangle Project and according to the sources is most likely to be declared as a wonder of the world.