Sigiriya Fortress Facts
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Sigiriya is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
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Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka.
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The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high.
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Sigiriya was featured in the eleventh episode of The Amazing Race 6 in 2005.
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According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kashyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes.
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Sigiriya Fortress Geographic Coordinates 07°57′25″N 80°45′35″E.
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A version of Sigiriya features in Arthur C. Clarke’s 1979 novel The Fountains of Paradise.
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The name of this place is derived from this structure, Sīnhāgiri, the Lion Rock.
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The palace is located in the heart of the island between the towns of Dambulla and Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above the sea level.
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The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.
