- Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - The Ancient City of Sigiriya holds the ruins of former Sinhalese capital, including a rock fortress and palace. At the end of the 5th century, this enormous complex was constructed by Prince Kasyapa. The garden and palace were built by King Kasyapa. After his death, it was again a monastery complex up to the 14th century. Knowing the inevitable return of Mogallana, Kasyapa is said to have built his palace on the summit of Sigiriya as a fortress and pleasure palace. Mogallana finally arrived and declared war. Chronicles say that the battle-elephant changed course to take a strategic advantage, but the army misinterpreted the movement as the King, prompting the army to abandon the king altogether. Moggallana returned the capital to Anuradapura, converting Sigiriya into a monastery complex. The beautifully and elaborately landscaped water gardens that contain a complex water distribution system! A superb view of the Gardens could be had from halfway up the rock.
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Parking fees
- Any Other Services Not Specified Above
- Expenses of Personal Nature
- Entrance ticket
As UNESCO accredited heritage landmarks, Sigiriya and Dambulla are of significant touristic interest in Sri Lanka. Situated 148 km away from Colombo is the city of Dambulla. Its most distinctive feature is the cave temple, which is recognized as Sri Lanka’s largest and best-conserved cave temple complex. It is home to historic murals and Buddha figurines that represent the life of Buddha.
A further 20 km journey takes you to the grand Sigiriya Lion Rock, a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Sri Lanka. Its roots can be traced back several millennia, during which it functioned as a royal residence for an ancient Sri Lankan king. Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a fascinating, yet lesser-known international marvel; a large rock column that ascends 200m (660 ft) above the forest floor below.
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