About Sigiriya

Welcome to Sigiriya

Sigiriya, also known as the Lion Rock, is a magnificent ancient rock fortress and palace complex that rises 200 meters above the surrounding plains in Sri Lanka's Central Province. This UNESCO World Heritage Site represents one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning and landscape architecture in the world.

Built in the 5th century CE by King Kasyapa I, Sigiriya combines spectacular engineering, exquisite art, and sophisticated garden design in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty. The site encompasses the remains of an upper palace built on the flat-topped rock summit, a mid-level terrace featuring the famous ancient frescoes, and extensive gardens and water features at ground level.

Rich Ancient Heritage

King Kasyapa's Palace

In 477 CE, King Kasyapa I chose this dramatic rock outcrop as the site for his new capital city. After overthrowing his father and fearing retribution from his brother, Kasyapa built an impregnable fortress palace that served as both a royal residence and a defensive stronghold.

Buddhist Monastery Heritage

Before Kasyapa's arrival, and again after his death in 495 CE, Sigiriya served as a Buddhist monastery complex. Archaeological evidence suggests the site had religious significance for over 1,000 years, with cave temples and meditation sites carved into the rock face.

Modern Rediscovery

While never truly forgotten by locals, Sigiriya was brought to international attention by British archaeologist H.C.P. Bell in 1898. Systematic excavations and conservation efforts have revealed the site's extraordinary significance to world heritage.

Architectural & Engineering Marvels

Water Garden Complex

The sophisticated water gardens demonstrate advanced hydraulic engineering with fountains, pools, and channels that still function after 1,500 years. The system includes pressure-fed fountains that operate during the rainy season using sophisticated ancient technology.

Mirror Wall & Frescoes

The famous Mirror Wall, originally polished to such perfection that the king could see his reflection, contains over 700 pieces of ancient graffiti from visitors between the 8th and 18th centuries, providing unique insights into medieval Sri Lankan society.

Summit Palace

The palace ruins at the summit cover an area of approximately 1.6 hectares and once contained elaborate royal chambers, audience halls, and gardens with panoramic views across the Central Province landscape.

Cultural & Artistic Heritage

Sigiriya represents the pinnacle of Sri Lankan artistic achievement during the Classical Period. The site showcases the sophisticated culture, artistic traditions, and technological capabilities of 5th-century Sri Lankan civilization.

Did You Know?

The famous Sigiriya frescoes of celestial maidens are among the finest surviving examples of ancient Sri Lankan art. Originally, there may have been as many as 500 painted figures covering the western face of the rock.

Ancient Frescoes

The world-renowned paintings of celestial maidens showcase the artistic mastery of ancient Sri Lankan painters with their exquisite detail and vibrant colors.

Lion's Gate

The massive stone lion that once guarded the entrance to the upper palace remains one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Sri Lankan architecture.

Ancient Graffiti

The Mirror Wall contains the world's oldest graffiti gallery, with verses written by admirers of the frescoes in ancient Sinhala script.

Royal Gardens

The terraced gardens demonstrate sophisticated landscape architecture with their formal symmetrical design and integration with natural rock formations.

Sigiriya Today

UNESCO World Heritage Status

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, Sigiriya is recognized for its outstanding universal value as a masterpiece of ancient urban planning, hydraulic engineering, and artistic achievement that demonstrates the sophisticated civilization of 5th-century Sri Lanka.

Archaeological Research

Ongoing archaeological work continues to reveal new insights about ancient Sri Lankan civilization. Recent discoveries include advanced water management systems, residential areas, and evidence of the site's use across multiple historical periods.

Cultural Tourism Destination

Today, Sigiriya attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually as one of Sri Lanka's most popular tourist destinations and a cornerstone of the Cultural Triangle tourism route that includes Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.