23/11/2018
This massive column of rock 180m high is host to a palace and fortress complex which is one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning.
Sigiriya derives its name from Sinhagiri which means lion rock. True to its name, halfway up the rock on a small plateau we find the gateway which originally was an enormous lion. Now only the feet are distinguishable.
According to legend, it was priorly the "City of Gods" but was renovated and used by King Kashyapa as his capital.
It was abandoned after the King, who was a bastard lost the challenge from his half-brother, Mogallana, the rightful heir to the throne.
It was later used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.
Sigiriya consists of an ancient citadel built by King Kashyapa during the 5th century. The Sigiriya site contains the ruins of an upper palace located on the flat top of the rock, a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes, the lower palaces located behind the lavish lower gardens, and moats and ramparts which protected the citadel. The site was both a palace and a fortress. The upper palace on the top of the rock includes cisterns cut into the rock.
Beware of the steep steps and steep prices. Tour guides here as one could set you back up to Rs5000 and give you little value while entry costs USD 35. Otherwise, this World Heritage Site is one you should definitely add to your list.
Sri Lanka
