The Royal Citadel Journey
Begin at the Potgul Vehera library with its splendid acoustics, then explore the Royal Citadel with its magnificent audience hall featuring stone elephant carvings, each in a different position.
Ancient Cities
in Sri Lanka Express
1,400 Years as Sri Lanka's Capital
The first capital of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura reigned for 1,400 years before being abandoned in the 11th Century. This ancient city is home to the Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest living tree in the world, grown from a sapling of the original Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
Sacred Sites & Ancient Monuments
Explore the magnificent dagobas and historical treasures
Ruwanweli Seya
The "Great Stupa" built by King Dutugemunu and completed in 144 B.C. A magnificent white dome-shaped monument that stands as a testament to ancient engineering.
Thuparamaya Dagoba
The first dagoba built in Sri Lanka, believed to enshrine the right collarbone of the Buddha. A sacred site of immense historical and religious significance.
Jetavanarama Dagoba
The largest and tallest brick monument in the world. Originally 400 feet high, this UNESCO World Heritage site was erected in the late 3rd Century A.D. by King Mahasena.
Abhayagiri Dagoba
A 75-meter high dagoba created in the 1st Century B.C., centerpiece of a monastic complex that once accommodated 5,000 monks. First place in Sri Lanka to house the sacred "Tooth Relic".
Brazen Palace (Loha Prasada)
Built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd Century B.C., this 9-storey residence now stands with 1,600 pillars in a 40-by-40 grid, offering a glimpse into ancient architectural grandeur.
Samadhi Buddha & Awkana
The Samadhi Buddha depicts the Buddha in deep meditation, while the Awkana features a gigantic granite Buddha statue about 32 miles southeast of Anuradhapura.
200 Years of Royal Splendor
Originally a country retreat when Anuradhapura was still the capital, Polonnaruwa became Sri Lanka's capital in the 11th Century and remained so for 200 years. This relatively short history makes it easy to explore all the ruins in a single day.
Key Monuments & Structures
A millennium of history in half a day
The Quadrangle
12 Great Structures:
- Vatadage - Polonnaruwa's oldest monument
- Hatadage - Temple of the Tooth Relic
- Atadage - House of Eight Relics
- Thuparama - Magnificent Buddha showcase
- Gal Pota - The 26x14 feet "Stone Book"
Rankot Vehera
The "Golden Pinnacle" is the largest dagoba in Polonnaruwa, built by King Nissanka Malla. This magnificent structure dominates the northern landscape of the ancient city.
Gal Vihara
Four larger-than-life Buddha statues carved from a single wall, including a rare cross-armed standing pose. The intricate attention to detail makes this a must-see masterpiece.
Lotus Bath
Built in the late 12th Century, this architectural marvel features steps descending in concentric rings of eight-petal lotus flowers, showcasing the sophisticated hydraulic engineering of ancient Sri Lanka.
Raja Maha Vihara - Cave Temple Complex
Located just 12 miles from Sigiriya, the Dambulla Cave Temple (also known as the Golden Temple) is a series of five temples dating back to the 1st Century B.C., though most surviving artwork represents the 18th Century Kandyan period.
157 Sacred Statues
Marvel at the collection of 157 statues of Buddha and royalty, each telling a story of devotion and artistry spanning centuries of Sinhalese history.
Intricate Frescoes
Discover breathtaking wall and ceiling frescoes depicting both religious and secular scenes, embellished by several kings throughout history.
The ceiling paintings in the fourth cave follow the folds of the rock so closely that they have been mistaken for cloth paintings stuck onto the ceiling.
- A testament to ancient artistic mastery
Caves of Refuge
These caves once served as places of refuge and have been carefully embellished by successive rulers, creating a unique blend of art, history, and spirituality that spans millennia.
The Magnificent Fortress of King Kasyapa
Built in the 5th Century A.D. by King Kasyapa, who seized the throne after having his father slain, this 600-foot rock fortress stands as a monument to both fear and greatness. Climbing the equivalent of 75 floors rewards you with breathtaking views and ancient wonders.
The Journey to the Summit
What to expect on your climb
2 Hours
Average time needed for a round trip for a fairly healthy person
600 Feet High
Equivalent to climbing a 75-storey building from the base to the summit
Stunning Views
Panoramic vistas across the vast forest, possibly spotting elephants below
Highlights Along the Way
- Sigiriya Damsels: Halfway up, discover frescoes depicting nearly naked nymphets, believed to be King Kasyapa's concubines. Only 26 of the original 500 paintings have survived.
- Mirror Wall: A three-meter high wall where ancient visitors penned their thoughts over a thousand years ago, creating a unique historical graffiti collection.
- Lion's Terrace: Pass through what used to be the lion's mouth and throat - the only way to enter the palace. This is why the fortress is called "Lion Rock" (Sigiriya).
- Royal Summer House: At the summit, marvel at buildings carved entirely from living rock, including thrones, rock-and-water gardens, and bathing pools.
To think that all this came about, because one man killed his father.
- The paradox of Sigiriya: beauty born from tragedy
The Frescoes
- Originally 500 paintings
- Only 26 survived mutilation by monks
- Depicts celestial maidens or royal concubines
- Created with vegetable and mineral pigments
The Summit Palace
- Everything carved from living rock
- Sophisticated water gardens
- Royal bathing pools with hydraulic systems
- Panoramic views of the surrounding jungle
Ready to Explore Ancient Sri Lanka?
Book your cultural heritage tour today and experience 2,500 years of history