The name Sigiriya means “Lion Rock” and interestingly enough, is a massive boulder formed by lava from an ancient volcano millions of years ago. But the real story of this ancient kingdom, according to the Culavamsa (one of the ancient chronicles of Sri Lanka) began with King Kashyapa who seized the throne from its rightful heir after murdering his father, King Datusena. In fear that his brother would assassinate him for revenge, King Kashyapa built his palace atop this 200 m tall rock in the fashion of a fortress.
The rock fortress is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and is indeed a wonder of the ancient world. The entrance to this palace on the rock was once an intricately carved lion’s mouth but today only its enormous paws remain. With about 1200 steps to climb in order to reach the very top. the duration of your climb may vary from 1.5 hours to 3 hours with little caves to stop by for a short break on the climb up. One of these caves includes the famed Sigiriya frescos – stunning artwork of beautiful women who are believed to have been the king’s concubines.
The Mirror Wall or “Katapath Pawura” is a notable attraction to explore on your way to the top. This wall was once so finely polished that the king could see his own reflection on it. However, today, the wall is covered with graffiti from the past projecting the thoughts of those who visited and lived in the citadel in that era. Visit this historic gem of Sri Lanka and be transported to the period of the Sigirya Kingdom as you witness the wonder of this amazing citadel first-hand!
