About Sigiriya
Sigiriya, often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World", is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District. The massive column of rock nearly 200 metres high is topped by the ruins of an ancient civilisation, thought to date back to the 5th century AD. The site is dominated by a massive column of rock approximately 180 m (590 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kashyapa (477–495 AD) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion.
Highlights
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
- By road: 3.5 hours from Colombo via Dambulla
- Nearest town: Dambulla (20 km away)
- Nearest airport: Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo
Attractions & Activities 4
Lion Rock Summit
Climb the iconic 200-metre rock fortress to the ancient palace ruins at the top, rewarded with breat...
Sigiriya Frescoes
Marvel at the stunning 5th-century rock paintings of celestial maidens (Apsaras) preserved on a shel...
Water Gardens
Explore the sophisticated hydraulic engineering of the ancient water gardens at the base of Sigiriya...
Mirror Wall
Walk alongside the ancient polished plaster wall that once reflected the king's image like a mirror,...
