The magnificent rock fortress of Sigiriya
is visible for miles from all directions
and dominates the surrounding plain.
The Sigiriya Complex consists of the
central rock, which arises abruptly 200
meters above the surrounding plain with
the two rectangular precincts on the
east and the west. The rock is
surrounded by two wide moats, where
crocodiles were introduced in ancient
times and three
ramparts.
The moats and walls that surround the
lower palace are still exquisitely
beautiful.
The
climb up Sigiriya is a challenge and
takes about 90 minutes.
In the first easiest stage, one progresses from
the landscaped gardens that extend out
for some hundreds of metres from the
base of the rock, through the lower
place that clings to the slopes below
the rocks. In the second stage progress
is up the wide steps along the mirror
wall with another staircase leading
to the world famous Sigiriya Frescoes
and then onto a mid level terrace
platform that houses the entrance to
the Lion Gate. The third and more
difficult is the steep climb up the
stairs, with railings, to the flat top
of the rock.
I
The compensating view
from the top, over the surrounding
countryside and the landscaped gardens
at the bottom is stunning.
It is on the gradually sloping flat top
of
Sigiriya that there was an ancient city of
palaces and ponds.
This
has the remains of an upper palace.
The upper palace on the top of the rock
includes cisterns cut into the rock that
still retain water.
.Sigiriya which was an ancient castle
built by King Kasyapa during the 5th
century AD is both a palace and
fortress.
Sufficient ruins remains to provide the
visitor with a stunning insight into the
ingenuity and creativity of its builders
Ancient Sri Lankan architectural
tradition is well displayed at Sigiriya
which is the best preserved city centre
in Asia from the first millennium.
The
site planning which is considered very
elaborate and imaginative combined
concepts of symmetry and asymmetry to
intentionally interlock with the
geometrical plan and the natural form of
the surroundings
– Sigiriya is more than the rock with
the fortress. Here is a combination of
buildings and gardens with their trees,
pathways, water gardens, the fusion of
symmetrical and asymmetrical elements,
use of varying levels and of axial and
radial planning.
Sigiriya is a good starting point for a
visit of discovery to the Cultural
Triangle.
Located in the heart of the triangle, it
is within easy distance of hotels
including
Sigiriya Hotel which is sited
in front of the rock and which the directors
of our London office stayed at on 4 February 2009.
Our recommendations of where to visit
and where to stay are based on the
personal experience of innumerable
visits to the Cultural Triangle between
1998 and 2009.