This is Sri Lanka’s version of Uluru
We’re not the only ones with a stunning natural rock to be proud of. Welcome to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka’s answer to Uluru.
The locals call Sigiriya the Eighth Wonder of the World and it is one of the country’s most visited sites. The rocky plateau soars to 200 metres above the surrounding jungle and was formed from the magma of an extinct volcano. It’s a truly arresting sight, with sheer, almost vertical, rock walls rising dramatically from a sea of green.
What makes Sigiriya even more remarkable is the fact that on its flat-topped summit are the ruins of an ancient civilisation. It is thought to be the capital of the short-lived Kingdom of Kassapa, dating back to the 5th century. A series of step stairs and ladders lead from the base of the rock up to the ruins. The entrance is on the northern side and set between a giant pair of lion’s paws carved from stone. This lion is also responsible for the rock’s name – the Sri Lankan word for lion is Sihagri.
The site is UNESCO World Heritage Listed and is the best preserved city from the first millennium. It shows very advanced urban planning skills and engineering, with a complex system of moats, ramparts and water gardens. It’s also one of the world’s oldest tourist attractions and visitors have been carving graffiti into the rock for more than 1,500 years.
The western wall of Sigiriya is covered with frescoes depicting nude women, thought to be the wives and concubines of King Kassapa or priestesses performing religious ceremonies. 18 frescoes remain and are a celebration of beauty and the female form.
Have you ever witnessed Sigiriya?
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