Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress and former royal palace of King Kasyapa. The Lion’s Rock stands out from the surrounding jungle at a height of 180m. Dating back to 477AD, Sigiriya is considered to be one of the best preserved examples of urban planning in South Asia and a marvel of art and technology. It is also one of the most important archaeological sites in the region.
The site is accessed through a series of staircases that emerge from the mouth of an enormous lion constructed of brick. Its most innovative feature are the water gardens, fed by the tanks nearby using a hydraulic system of pipes, that lie on either side. There are also frescoes of maidens painted in a unique style and a mirror wall that is covered with poetry and other scribbles by visitors from as early as the 8th century.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city of Sigiriya is considered by locals to be the eighth wonder of the world.
