Sri Lanka is a popular tourist destination because of its pristine beaches, fascinating wildlife and rich heritage. There are hundreds of historical sites to visit while in Sri Lanka, and although all are interesting and beautiful in their own way, only a few can match the historical value and beauty of Sigiriya.
Sigiriya is a rock fortress situated in the Matale district of Sri Lanka. It was built by the Sri Lankan rebel king Kasyapa around 477AD when he seized power from his father, and its architecture and art give locals and tourists alike a glimpse of the nation’s rich culture during that period. One of the most famous attractions that one can see on a visit to this magnificent rock fortress, are the frescoes depicting beautiful women holding flowers. They are painted directly on the rock, and it is believed that around five hundred of these frescoes were originally painted. However, only around twenty-one are still visible. Nevertheless, these frescoes are still beautiful, and the locals regard them as a very important part of the island’s history.
Another famous attraction in Sigiriya is the mirror wall. This wall is covered in graffiti dating back centuries, and are mostly poems written in an older dialect of Sinhala, one of the country’s official languages. Although the main purpose of Sigiriya to function as a defensive structure, the king made sure that he was comfortable living atop this fortress, building many bathing pools that received water through a well-planned pipe structure, verdant garden spaces, and a magnificent palace. Now, the ruins of the palace can still be visited through an ancient stone staircase flanked by two gigantic lion paws carved out of the rock – the remainder of a massive lion statue that served as the entrance to the palace, as well as the ruins of a city within the fortress. Sigiriya offers tourists a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s rich and vibrant culture, and after visiting this magnificent rock fortress it is easy to understand why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a very important part of Sri Lanka’s colourful history, and to truly be able to appreciate the magnificent culture and heritage of Sri Lanka, a trip to Sigiriya is an ideal place to start.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful island to discover and explore, as its myriad natural, manmade, and cultural wonders can definite attest. Anyone who wants to indulge in a bout of travel sri lanka should consider booking quality and competitive Sri Lanka tours offered by agents such as Elegant Travels in order to truly enjoy the splendour of this magnificent island.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+