- Type
- Fortress
- Location
- Matale, Sri Lanka
- Heritage
- UNESCO World Heritage List
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 7.9569°, 80.7597°
History
In the 5th century King Kashyapa I, who had seized the throne by overthrowing and killing his own father, moved his capital to the top of this huge volcanic rock, fearing revenge from his half-brother. He built a palace on the summit and laid out gardens, moats and walls at its foot, entered through a gateway shaped like a lion. After less than two decades in power Kashyapa died in battle against his brother Moggallana, who returned the capital to Anuradhapura and gave the rock to Buddhist monks. A monastery survived here for several centuries before the site fell into obscurity. The British rediscovered the ruins in the 19th century, and Sigiriya became a UNESCO site in 1982.
What to see
The walk begins in symmetrical water gardens with channels and fountains, then the path threads between giant boulders onto the rock face. A sheltered niche preserves colourful frescoes of bare-chested women holding flowers, and beside it runs the Mirror Wall covered in ancient visitors' inscriptions. On a terrace flanked by enormous lion paws the final stairs begin, leading to the summit with palace foundations, a cistern and sweeping jungle views.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q272153
Popularity: articles about this site in 63 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).