Sigiriya Rock Fortress

According to the Mahavamsa, King Kashyapa I (477–495 CE) selected this site as his new capital after usurping the throne from his father. He built his palace on the top of this massive rock column and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock, he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure — Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death in battle, and it was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.

The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys, and fountains. The summit of the rock is 1.6 hectares in area, housing the royal citadel.

Sigiriya is famous for its frescoes, which depict damsels or 'apsaras' in a style similar to the Ajanta Caves. The 'Mirror Wall', originally so well polished that the king could see his reflection in it, is now covered with verses scribbled by visitors dating back to the 8th century. The Water Gardens showcase advanced hydraulic engineering, utilizing a complex system of underground conduits and gravity-fed fountains, some of which are still functional today.

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, Sigiriya is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is often referred to by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World due to its engineering and artistic marvels.