Trip to Sri Lanka, 2013
Sigiriya or Lion's Rock
| Sigiriyaor Lion's Rock is a large ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Central Province,, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. It is one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times. It was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 5th century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees of the Buddhist Sangha. According to the chronicles as Mahavamsa the entire complex was built by King Kashyapa (477 – AD 495), and after the king's death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century. |
You can just see the spiral metal staircase going up to the rock paintings
(Photo: Jim Knight)
(Photo: Jim Knight)
At the very top!
(Photo: Jim Knight)
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