10 Interesting Sigiriya Fortress Facts

Sigiriya Fortress Facts

Sigiriya Fortress Facts

  1. Sigiriya is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Sigiriya was featured in the eleventh episode of The Amazing Race 6 in 2005.
  5. 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.
  6. Sigiriya Fortress Geographic Coordinates 07°57′25″N 80°45′35″E.
  7. A version of Sigiriya features in Arthur C. Clarke’s 1979 novel The Fountains of Paradise.
  8. The name of this place is derived from this structure, Sīnhāgiri, the Lion Rock.
  9. 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.
  10. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.
Sigiriya Fortress Facts
Sigiriya Fortress Facts