The fall of Anuradhapura in 993 AD brought about the rise of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom which lasted for centuries as the capital of the island. The kingdom was ruled by both the South Indian Cholas and the Sinhalese who perceived Polonnaruwa to be better protected naturally from invasions by the south-eastern and Ruhunu Kingdoms that existed at the time.
Polonnaruwa reached its magnificence during the rule of King Parakramabahu I (12th century AD) who developed the local infrastructure and built a massive water tank called the “Parakrama Samudraya” which translates to “The Sea of Parakrama”. The stone palace built for the royal family was massive, with a total of 50 rooms and adorned with baroque stone carvings that depict the rich culture of the time. Vestiges of this splendid structure can be seen today, the Vatadage being the most iconic of them, with four entrances. It is said to have housed the Sacred Tooth Relic during the Polonnaruwa Kingdom period.
A visit to this city will lead you to a treasure trove of Sri Lankan history with ruins of the ancient palace and well-preserved Buddhist stupas making a bygone era feel tangible in the present.