Sigiriya Ancient Citadel

What is this site?

A 200-meter-high monolithic granite fortress and palace complex featuring mirror-glazed walls, world-renowned 5th-century frescoes, and symmetrical hydraulic pleasure gardens.

Why it matters

One of the best preserved urban planning and hydraulic landscape systems of the ancient world; designated an eighth wonder of the world.

Description

Selected by King Kashyapa as his fortified capital in the 5th century CE; following his defeat, it was returned to Buddhist monks as an ascetic monastery until the 14th century. Associated patrons (as supplied): King Kashyapa I. Key features to look for: Sigiriya Frescoes depicting celestial nymphs (Apsaras); Mirror Wall with early historic graffiti scripts; Colossal brick-and-mortar Lion's Paws stairway terrace; Axial water gardens with subterranean hydraulic conduits.

Photos

Historical and scholarly sources

1. Reference as supplied in project dataset (pending verification): UNESCO Ref: 202 (1982); Gazetted National Reserve

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.

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