Photo: A.Savin · FAL · Wikimedia CommonsLovamahapaya (Brazen Palace)
Verification: in review · Coordinates: unverified
What is this site?
The Great Chapter House (Uposathaghara) of the Mahavihara fraternity; originally a nine-story timber pavilion with bronze roof tiles, now preserved as a forest of 1,600 stone pillars.
Why it matters
Reflects the architectural scale of high-density multi-story monastic residences in the ancient world.
Description
Commissioned by King Dutugamunu; destroyed by fire and rebuilt multiple times until King Parakramabahu I rearranged the remaining 1,600 stone columns in the 12th century. Associated patrons (as supplied): King Dutugamunu, King Saddhatissa. Key features to look for: Orthographic grid of 1,600 dressed granite columns; Ancient brick foundation plinth and central sanctum trace; View looking across the sacred corridor toward the Ruwanwelisaya; Monolithic entrance stone thresholds.
Photos
Historical and scholarly sources
- Reference as supplied in project dataset (pending verification): Atamasthana #2; UNESCO Ref: 200 (1982)
Visiting responsibly
Dress modestly at religious sites, remove shoes and hats where requested, never climb on monuments or pose with your back to Buddha images, and follow guidance from custodians and the Department of Archaeology.