Sigiriya

Why visit Sigiriya – A Man-made Marvel and a Natural Wonder

Sigiriya Lion Rock is a historically renowned and iconic landmark in Sri Lanka. Towering above the central plains, this UNESCO World Heritage site sits in a landscape surrounded by panoramic views, making Sigiriya even more significant. This is an ancient palace and fortress highly influenced by Sri Lanka’s cultural history; it was built by King Kashyapa over 1500 years back at the peak of a 660-foot-tall rock. Sigiriya is archaeologically remarkable and arrests thousands of visitors every year, making it one of the top reasons why tourists come to Sri Lanka. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or an adventurer, Sigiriya offers an unforgettable experience, undoubtedly.

This palace and fortress complex features five gates and covers about 3 kilometers, featuring landscaped lush gardens throughout the area and a moat with ramparts to protect the complex. There were lower palaces on the ground level while the lion’s paw carving guarded the upper palace making an extraordinary entrance for visitors and also standing as a red flag for enemies. This Sigiriya complex is a massive example to showcase the ancient urban planning of Sri Lankans.

What makes Sigiriya stand out?

• The Entrance to the Summit; Lions Paw Entrance – Thanks to the impressive Lion’s paw entrance, Sigiriya got its name, “The Lion’s Rock,” which is carved from stone serving as the entrance to the upper palace.
• A Brick-Faced Wall; Mirror Wall! – One of Sigiriya’s most notable features is its Mirror Wall. It was polished so perfectly those days to produce a reflection on the white plaster making it called “Mirror-wall”.
• Old Wall Drawings; Frescoes – Unidentified women’s portraits are painted on the western wall of Sigiriya rock known to be frescoes. These ancient paintings showcase female beauty and hold historical importance to the highest.
• Landscaped Gardens; Sigiriya Gardens – The water gardens were a key element of the ancient irrigation system. The terraced gardens built along the base of the rock were terraces to form the organized landscape. The cave and boulder gardens are natural rock constructions integrated with pavilions and pathways.