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    Sigiriya Rock Fortress

    Exploring the Lion Rock Fortress

    One of the most visited places in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, also known as the Lion Rock, is a 5th-century rock fortress in the central plains of Sri Lanka: a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Sigiriya, in recent years, the nearby Pidurangala Rock has also garnered attention as a great place to scale and take beautiful pictures of Sigiriya at sunrise or sunset. Sigiriya Rock is renowned for its impressive height, extensive gardens, and rich historical significance. At Sigiriya, a magical encounter awaits for a romantic exploration that includes the royal palace ruins, museum, celestial murals, and stunning summit views.

    Highlights
    • The Water Fountain Gardens
    • The Mirror Wall
    • The Sigiriya Frescos of Celestial Maidens
    • The Entrance Lion Paws
    • The Fortress ruins at the summit

    Sigiriya’s recorded history dates to the late 5th century CE when the Sinhalese King Kashyapa I (477-495 CE) built a palace atop the rock, designed to resemble a monumental lion, which provided a strategic stronghold against his enemies. After King Kashyapa’s defeat in 495 CE by his brother Moggallana, the palace fell into ruin but later became a pilgrimage site. Archaeologists assert, however, that the rock was used by Buddhist monks both before Kashyapa’s development into a palace and even possibly after it was abandoned. Today, it remains a popular tourist attraction, with visitors beginning their ascent through the lion’s paws, a magnificent remnant of the ancient structure.

    Standing over 1,100 feet tall, Sigiriya features more than 1,200 steps to the top. The climb usually takes 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on your pace and the number of visitors. Popular highlights of the climb include the mirror wall, the world-famous frescoes of the celestial maidens, the Lion Paws at the entrance, and the water fountain gardens.
    The summit of Sigiriya features the remnants of King Kashyapa’s palace, including stone ruins, gardens, and bathing pools. The panoramic views from the summit are unparalleled, offering a 360-degree view of the surrounding plains.

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    Lion’s Paw Entrance

    Reaching the Lion’s Paw, you are at the halfway point of the climb. Carved into the rock, the gigantic stone lion paws are one of the four original entrances to Sigiriya, according to archaeologists. The only entrance in pristine condition, the Lion Paws are a popular photography stop before ascending the spiral staircase to the top.

    The Frescoes

    The rock paintings of apsaras (celestial maidens), celestial singers, and dancers are world-famous for their exquisite detail. It is believed to have originally had around 500 murals, but only 23 remain in the present day. These vibrant and intricate paintings provide a glimpse into the cultural and artistic achievements of the era, and conservationists are vigilant about its present preservation in situ.

    The Mirror Wall

    Another fascinating feature of Sigiriya is the mirror wall, which was once so polished that it reflected landscape images like mirror art being depicted on the wall. Visitors can see graffiti in the form of poems and scribbles left by ancient pilgrims on the Mirror walls. This graffiti, which includes poems and comments left by ancient pilgrims, offers a glimpse of the grandeur of this once-great palace fortress as seen by past visitors.

    The Royal Palace at the Summit

    This was once the location of the King’s main palace. Today, the summit still has ruins of the palace, gardens, and the royal bathing pool. Witness 360-degree panorama views of the surrounding landscape. Of course, the best views are at sunrise or sunset.

    The Main Features of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress

    Hours of Operation and Location

    The Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Museum
    Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
    Website: https://sigiriyafortress.com
    E-mail: info@sigiriysrilanka.com
    Tel: +94662286355 (Musuem phone number)
    Hours: Open Daily 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
    Tickets: USD 36 (Rock Fortress and Museum) for Adults, Children under 12 USD 15 (Prices are current as of September 2024)

    Speak to Our Concierge
    Telephone
    +94 76 757 8865
    whatsapp
    +94 76 757 8865
    Address
    2D,
    Inner Bagatalle Road,
    Colombo 03,
    Sri Lanka.

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