The sharper edge to traveling in Asia

WoWasis visits Sigiriya: Sri Lanka’s answer to Machu Picchu

Written By: herbrunbridge - Feb• 11•12

Pool on Sigiriya's summit

Most western visitors looking for the South Asian experience travel to India. In doing so, though, they run the risk of missing out on Sri Lanka, home to the amazing World Heritage site of Sigiriya. This site comprises a series of foundations, walls, terraces, waterworks, and frescoes, leading up to the remains of a rock-top fortress. Created in the 5th century by King Kashyapa (Kassapa), the site is thought to have been used in a political or religious capacity well before then. In terms of view, atmosphere, and building technique, it reminds us a here at WoWasis of Peru’s Machu Picchu. In addition to Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, it’s on the ancient cities route in north central Sri Lanka. All three are at most three hours drive from the inland city of Kandy. 

One of the many frescoed divas

Sigiriya rock, a magma plug from an extinct volcano, rises 200 meters above the small town at its feet. Abandoned in the 14th century, it was rediscovered in 1898 by archaeologist HCP Bell. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. 

The site is entered through the Royal and boulder gardens, where picturesque landscapes combine with water features that are a feast for the eye. Further, you’ll encounter a circular steel ladder that will take you to the frescoes. Once there were as many as 500 portraits of buxom, semi-nude women, but now there are only 22 left, an unfortunate result of vandals. Best seen in the afternoon, they display wonderful colors and form, and date from an as-yet to be undetermined era. Romantics consider them consorts of the king, but this has yet to be proven. Below the frescoes is what’s known as the “mirror wall,” in which old graffiti extolls the virtues of these women.

Sigiriya's Royal Gardens

Above the frescoes, you’ll encounter giant stone lion’s paws, through which you ascend through a series of steel ladder switchbacks, up the face of the rock, to the summit. The view here is stunning, the foundations under restoration, but perhaps the highlight is the large pool, measuring 27×21 meters, beautifully carved out of the rock. Upon your return, don’t miss the archaeological museum, full of remarkable scultptures and tartifacts found at the site.

We determined that Sigiriya was the single most compelling reason to visit Sri Lanka. It should not be missed, and is the highlight of any trip to the island.

Sigiriya ticket entrance and museum
Open daily, 7 am  – 5:30 pm
GPS: N07°57.473’  E080°45.205’
Price: $30 USD

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