Sri Lanka, the paradise nation in the Indian Ocean has many wonders. Sigiriya is one of them as this 5th Century marvel of a fortress promises a mind-blowing adventure!
A Tragic Story Behind All the Magnificence
The Sigiriya Fortress was the creation of King Kasyapa who was, according to ancient scriptures, quite a wayward king. He brutally murdered his father the great King Dathusena to claim the throne for himself. Next he fled to Sigiriya and built this impressive fort in which he cautiously waited for the day in which Mogallana, his brother the rightful heir to the throne, would come and gain it back. He did come and after a great battle killed Kasyapa. However, there’s also a legend saying that Kasyapa slit his own throat as he was too proud to surrender himself.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The fortress built on a 660 ft high rock has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO who had said that it is “one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning”.
An Architectural Marvel
The fortress still manages to impress modern historians and engineers for being such a marvel of a creation. Called by many to be the 8th Wonder of the World, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress always manages to come up on the top attractions in Sri Lanka in any travel guide such as Cinnamon Magazine. The grounds surrounding it are considered to be some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. The entrance is flanked by a giant pair of lion’s paws which gives the fortress its name as it Sigiriya is derived from the meaning Lion’s Rock. Other attractions to see here include the beautiful frescoes, the amazing Mirror Wall and the remnants of the palace at the top. The view from the top of the fortress is simply breathtaking.
Where is it?
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is located about 4-5 hours away from Colombo and about 3 hours away from the airport. Its situated next to the town of Dambulla which contains the UNESCO World Heritage listed temple, so make sure to visit that as well when you visit Sigiriya.
| Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+ |