Take on the many stairs that will take you to the famous rock with its mystical atmosphere – a place that cannot be missed during a tour of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya hides the secrets of kings from the 5th century! On the almost two-hundred-meter rock, there are ruins of an ancient palace surrounded by a fortress, which put tourists in a magical mood and order them to lean for a moment over the beauty of this place, which is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On the walls of the rock, which is a remnant of an extinct volcano, you will spot intricately crafted paintings, which mainly depict women. From the rocky peak, you will see the area dominated by greenery filled with jungle and charming hills – an ideal place to stop here for a moment and catch your breath during an intensive tour of Sri Lanka.
On a nearly two-hundred-meter-high rock, there are ruins of an ancient fortress built by the legendary King Kassapa, and Buddhist monks lived in the rock chambers for hundreds of years. Towering over the area, Sigiriya is a place that combines the magic of old stories about the island's history and the peace of a Buddhist temple. It gained its significance in history because climbing to the top is quite a challenge, and today the route to the top leads along winding stairs brought from... the London Underground.
Sigiriya – practical information
Sigiriya is located in the Matale district in central Sri Lanka, on a rock that is the remains of an extinct volcano. Currently, it is one of the most recognizable and photographed places in Sri Lanka, and one of seven places on the island listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Climbing to its summit, you can see the ruins of a former palace complex with gardens. There are winding and sometimes very narrow stairs leading to the top, so the way back may be a bit difficult for people with a fear of heights. However, it only takes 20 minutes to descend from the top. You should definitely spend at least a few hours wandering around the entire area, and along the way, you can immortalize the current inhabitants of this place, a herd of macaques, in a photo. However, the monkeys are not very "hospitable", they willingly accept bananas from tourists, but they easily scare those who are too pushy with their sharp teeth. So it's better not to risk a conflict on the slope of a steep rock... Sigiriya is also definitely the most expensive attraction in Sri Lanka, with entry costing $30. Local guides are also waiting for tourists there, hoping to make some easy money here. You can easily visit Lion Rock on your own, and you can read about its rich and interesting history in our guide!
The History of Lion Rock
Inscriptions found in one of the local caves testify that the history of this place dates back to the 473rd century, when the first Buddhist monks moved here. However, Sigiriya entered Sri Lankan history thanks to the legendary events of 491–1155, when King Kassapa moved the capital of the Chingalese Kingdom from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya. The construction of the great palace complex on the top of the rock claimed the lives of thousands of workers. Relatively little from that period has survived to this day, and the characteristic lion paws carved in the rock, part of a large lion sculpture that decorated the entrance to the king's private chambers, have survived with the ruins of the old buildings. Inside the palace, there are also some frescoes depicting court concubines. Unfortunately, the monks who moved here again after Kassapa's death changed the palace interiors. Depictions of women in negligees are a controversial work in a Buddhist culture that prescribes abstinence from physical pleasures. Sigiriya was finally abandoned in 1828, after which it remained largely forgotten until modern times – the former fortress was discovered by British archaeologists only in 1982. In XNUMX, the site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Legends about Pride Rock
The ruler of Sigiriya, Kassapa, was the son of King Datusen, but he was an illegitimate child, and the first in line to the throne was his older brother Mogallan. Kassapa rebelled against his father's will and took power by force, sentencing him to death. The rightful heir, fearing for his own life, fled to India, where he spent the next few years gathering mercenaries to overthrow the usurper. Kassapa, preparing for his brother's expected return, ordered a residence built on the top of a 200-meter rock. It was a combination of a pleasure palace and an impregnable fortress, while a new city began to develop at the base of the rock. However, the invasion finally came, and Mogallan returned after 18 years to reclaim his inheritance. For unknown reasons, Kassapa left his safe fortress to face his brother. Unfortunately for him, the elephant he was riding got scared and started to retreat, which the king's soldiers took as a sign to retreat. This was the moment that decided the defeat. Fearing capture by his brother, Kassapa decided to commit suicide using his own sword. Thus ended the story of the royal bastard ruling on the Lion Rock, and Sigiriya once again became a home for monks seeking escape from the world in the rock caves.
Where does the name Sigiriya come from?
The name Sigiriya probably comes from the word singhi giri which means lion rock. The lion's claws and lion's mouth carved in the rock with their entire shape resembled a large sitting lion. This animal is particularly important in the history of Sri Lanka, for King Kassapa it was undoubtedly a symbol of strength, which was supposed to scare away enemies, as well as his entire fortress. According to legends, the inhabitants of this part of Sri Lanka, the Chingalese, who came here from India, are also descendants of a lion and a Bengali princess.
Visiting Lion Rock
Sigiriya can be reached from Dambulla by taking a 20 km tuk tuk. The Sri Lankans attach great importance to the protection of their monuments, so it is strictly forbidden to bring any plastic bottles to the site. It is also currently forbidden to take pictures of the frescoes preserved in the ruins of the palace. The high price for climbing the mountain may be surprising, but this place, as a symbol of Sri Lanka, is worth including in your travel plan. If you are going to Lion Rock only for the views of the surrounding area, an alternative is the nearby Pidurangala Rock. This hill is definitely less visited by tourists, and climbing here should not be a problem, but it does require a bit of dexterity. For those planning to stay in the area longer, we recommend going to both places. The nearby town with an extensive accommodation base, full of local pubs with affordable prices, is a great place for bike trips and discovering the charms of Sri Lanka.