Standing tall and proud in the heart of Sri Lanka’s central province is the ancient citadel of Sigiriya. Here’s how to plan a trip to this magnificent fortress and palace.
1. Learn the Story Behind It
Sigiriya Image Credit – Bernard Gagnon, CC By SA 3.0 via Wikipedia Commons
It’s always best to learn about the history of the attraction or destination before you go there; in terms of Sigiriya it’s never truer. Sigiriya was built by King Kasyapa who murdered his father , King Dathusena, to claim the throne. He fortified Sigiriya with armies and defence mechanisms so that when his brother Mogallana, the rightful heir to the throne came back; he would be prepared. However, in spite of all his precautions, Mogallana invaded and defeated Kasyapa.
2. Pick a Good Place to Stay
Sigiriya is located very, very far away from Colombo and the international airport. Four hours to be exact. Therefore, it’s better to book a place close to the fortress so that you can explore it at ease. There are plenty of five-star and boutique hotels in Sigiriya to choose from. If you book a place like the Water Garden Sigiriya; not only will you be within 5-10 minutes from the site but you will also get spectacular views!
3. And finally…explore!
Sigiriya Image Credit – dronepicr , CC By SA 2.0 via Wikipedia Commons
There’s so much to see and discover in Sigiriya. Here are some of the highlights.
Beautiful Gardens
Sigiriya Terraced Gardens Image Credit – Bernard Gagnon, CC By SA 3.0 via Wikipedia Commons
These stunning gardens are said to be some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world.
Giant Lion Paws
Giant Lion Paws | Image Credit – S.G.Seyone, CC By SA 3.0 via Wikipedia Commons
These are the reason behind the fortress’ name as ‘Sigiriya’ is derived from the Sinhalese words ‘Sinha-Giri’ which translated to Lion’s Rock. In ancient times, the complete structure of a lion’s upper body is said to have existed, but sadly only the paws remain today.
Mirror Wall
The Mirror Wall | Image Credit – Parakrama at the English language Wikipedia, CC By SA 3.0 via Wikipedia Commons
Ancient graffiti. Legend has it that Kasyapa had the mirror wall polished so fine, to the point that when looking at it, you could see your reflection.
Frescoes
These beautiful frescoes still remain a mystery as the identity of these women are unknown. Archeologists have a few theories that either they are goddesses or King Kasyapa’s harem.
The View!
The final attraction of Sigiriya is well worth the climb! Walk through the remnants of the palace and feast your eyes on the surreal 360 degree views.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media.
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