Sigiriya, the 5th-century rock fortress in Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle
SIGIRIYA AT DAWNPhoto from Unsplash200m above plains

HISTORICAL · UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE

The Lion Rock and Its Frescoes

Sigiriya Rock Fortress · Cultural Triangle

Built

5th c. CE

Visit

3-4 hrs

Best

Early AM

Region

Cultural Triangle

UNESCO World Heritage site — one of the oldest surviving examples of ancient landscape and water-garden planning.

Almost 200 metres of rock rising out of the central plains, topped with the ruins of a 5th-century royal palace built by King Kashyapa. The climb passes ancient frescoes, a polished-plaster mirror wall, and the giant lion's paws that give the rock its name.

5th c. CE3-4 hrsEarly AM
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