Sigiriya is in the district of Matale, and is known to be the home of UNESCO’s 8th wonder of the world, Sigiriya rock. The rock holds the ruins of the late King Kashyapa’s “Sky Palace”. What remained of an ancient volcano was carved and chiseled to look like a lion, which is known to be symbolic of pride and royalty. Today, only the paws of the lion on either side of the staircase remain.
Plan your trip
There are 1200 steps that have to be climbed in order to reach the top of the rock; keep in mind that it will also be crowded on the way. The best way to avoid the traffic would be by going on weekdays, and not on public holidays. The gates open at 7 am, so starting a little after that is advisable.
The ideal weather for this activity would be from January to April, and from July to September. It can be quite windy, as well as sunny; so be prepared for both instances.
There are some areas which don’t allow flash photography. If these rules are not followed, there is a possibility that your camera equipment will be confiscated.
If you plan your climb through a hotel, they are most likely to provide a guide for you, but if they don’t there are also reliable guide books that you can purchase. You should also expect to see a colorful array of vendors selling products from fizzy drinks to snacks at the foot of the rock.
There is also a museum that you can visit which the payment for your ticket covers.
The Gardens
One of the gardens consists of old toppled boulders that once held the fortress together. Upon close inspection, some inscriptions can be seen on them.
There are also water gardens with ancient bathing pools which were built for the pleasure of the royals, and fountains that thrived on the principles of gravity and pressure. These hydraulic systems are testimonies to the advanced architectural technology that existed at the time.
The Frescoes
The walls of the caves in the rock are decorated with the paintings of nude women; perhaps the King’s wives, concubines or even nymphs. These women are known as the Sigiriya’s damsels.
These paintings are the only non-religious paintings to survive in Sri Lanka.
Although some of the damsels hold the mistakes of the artist; like a few extra hands, they are still captivating in their beauty.
The Mirror wall
A wall that used to be highly polished so that the King could see his own reflection in it still stands to this day. It is now known as a graffiti wall, and holds the writings and poems of visitors that date back to the 8th century. Although this is not allowed anymore, some of the words on this wall can still be read, and are enriched with the beauty of Sri Lankan literature.
The Summit
The remains of what once was a great palace can be seen at the top of the rock, perched on the different levels, as well the gardens that its occupants maintained. Surrounding it all is a bird’s eye view that stretches over forest cover and the vast expanse of the ocean; truly gaining it’s right to be the “Sky palace”.