28 October 2024 | 12 min
28 October 2024 | 12 min
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress was formed as a result of volcano eruption which took place more than 2 billion years ago. After this rock formation it became home to Mesolithic humans and reclusive Buddhist monks. According to some historians and as described in the ancient Sanskrit Ramayanaya this Sigiriya Rock Fortress as City of Gods.
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress became popular in 5th century according to history when King Kashyapa I made this palace complex. King Kashyapa I skimmed his way to become the King by overthrowing his father King Dhatusena and imprisoning him behind a wall. He also exiled his brother to India who was the right heir to the throne.
After taking over King Kashyapa I was certain that his brother one day will come back to reclaim what was rightfully his. The King relocated from the ancient city of Anuradhapura to Sigiriya and built a place on top of the rock.
He chose this place because he will see attackers from far. He built a magnificent palace, exquisite gardens, and a massive resting lion stairway out of an unexpected rock.
However, the King's Palace in the Clouds would only last for eighteen years before Kashyapa's soldiers were ultimately routed and he passed away. Eventually, the fortress was returned to the monks, but millions of visitors see its beauties every year thanks to his legacy.
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is located within the Matale District in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The visitoirs are allowed to visit every days starting from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. During the peak tourist season, it gets crowded and the best time to visit is the morning hours.
The dry season from November to April is the best time to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The weather is pleasant during dry season it is warm and there is minimal rainfall.
Given this is one of the main tourists attraction in Sri Lanka; during peak season there are large crowds but there is good management of the crowds. The fortress is well equipped.
It is important to note the warmest month is from March to April. But the temperatures don’t get high to make it uncomfortable for tourist. Indeed the weather allows tourists to explore the lush green and surrounding places around the fortress.
It is the responsibility of the government to protect the national monuments and heritage in the country. It is in this regard the Sri Lanka government charge entrance fee and has rules which all visitors must follow while visiting Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
The following is the entrance fees to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress:
You can purchase the entrance ticket online through tourism sites or at the entrance of the fortress.
There are a number of attractions at Sigiriya Rock Fortress which you should not miss to explore when you visit this fortress. Here are the main attractions you should know about.
Sigiriya Rock is one of the attractions at the fortress. It is a massive rock which you can see from far and is surrounded by lush green landscape. Tourists challenge themselves to climb to the peak which is challenging but rewarding especially for the climbers. When you make it to the top you get to enjoy stunning views of the lush greenery, mountains and water gardens.
The formation of this rock was a result of volcano eruption. The surrounding is ancient ruins and thick forest creating a mystical atmosphere. So, when you visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress you should explore the rock itself and try to get to the peak. On your way to get to the peak will come across wildlife and see rigged cliffs.
Located at the upper palace of Sigiriya entrance, the Lion's Gate is another attraction which to explore. Although the remaining lions are pawns today, it was once an impressive structure. It is adorned with a giant lion figure which symbolizes King Kashyapa's authority and power. He is the one who built the fortress.
Visitors visit this attraction to try to get to the summit. Before you get to the summit will have to climb through the lion's paws. The pawns are crafted from brick and plaster. They are reflection of ancient Sinhalese builder’s skill and artistry. The Lion's Gate is reminder to the visits about Sigiriya’s royal history, symbolism and showcasing architectural marvel.
Among the preserved ancient Sri Lankan art is Frescoes of Sigiriya found on the Sigiriya rock's fortress western face. These frescoes showcase the 5th century artist’s skills and expertise. They feature exquisite figures, maidens' vibrant colors and delicate lines.
The tourist like to visit explore the western part of this rock to see these original frescoes. They are beautiful paintings and have historical importance. Art, mythology, and regal life are intertwined, and the frescoes illustrate either deities or the king’s wives.
Mirror Wall is another key attraction which you should not miss when you visit the Sigiriya rock fortress. This mirror wall is said to gleam so brightly that passersby could see the king's face and visage reflected on the wall. The Wall's old spray paintings, rather than its mirror-like aspect, have earned it prominence even today.
History demonstrates that poets and thinkers who visited Sigiriya composed poetry and thoughts about what they witnessed, including sixth-century inscriptions. Some of the sentences emphasize the grandeur of the frescoes; other graffiti provides priceless information on ancient Sri Lanka's social and cultural activities.
The designing and landscaping of the Royal Gardens of Sigiriya date 5th century. The garden which you should not miss to explore is terrace garden, boulder garden, and water garden.
When exploring the water gardens which features fountains, functional ponds and most will realize the top notch engineering skills. The other garden to explore is boulder garden where you will get to see different natural rock formations. There are also trails which you can follow to the shaded areas.
The terrace garden is located atop the rock's slopes and if you get there will enjoy stunning views of the surroundings. At the Royal Gardens is where the old realm beauty is preserved.
You can take 1,200 steps to reach the summit and it is worth rewarding experience. At the summit is where you will find King Kashyapa's palace remnants. It was residence of the ancient ruler.
Even though the only remaining ruins is few structures and foundation walls it is easy to get the picture of the grandeur that once existed here. From the top you can also see spectacular views of the lush forests, distant mountains, and nearby villages.
When you are the summit you will get the reason why king Kashyapa I had to relocate the palace to this place. While staying at the peak of this fortress you have defensive advantage, because can see enemy approaching from far.
There are nearby tourist attractions which you can visit after Sigiriya Rock Fortress. You can include these places in your itinerary.
The yala nation park is popular sanctuary which you can visit. It is popular because of the high number of leopard population. You can embark on a safari to explore the park.
You will get to see different wildlife such as elephants, leopards and a variety of birds. The parks is ranked 2nd among the national parks in Sri Lanka.
Besides seeing animals at the park, you can also explore the Buddhist pilgrim sites located in the park the Magul Vihara and the Sithulpahuwa.
Ella, located deep in the hills, is a lovely town known for its hiking trails, breathtaking views, and the iconic Nine Arches Bridge. It is also well-known for the Little Adam's Peak.
Notable attractions you can visit include the Dhowa temple, a 2,000-year-old rock-cut shrine. The temple houses a 12-meter-tall, partially completed Buddha statue carved from the adjacent rock by old master craftsmen.
other attractions include the view point Ella Rock, the medium-sized 25-meter-high Ravana Ella Falls, the 220-meter-high Diyaluma Falls, Ravana Cave, the Yahalamadiththa temple, and the Nildiya Pokuna.
The other place you can visit near the Sigiriya rock fortress is Sigiriya Museum. This is a historical museum and archaeology. At the museum there are exhibits such as artifacts which were discovered during excavations and fortress models.
After visiting this museum will get to learn the importance of Sri Lanka culture and how the technology has advanced from the ancient Sri Lanka. You can choose to visit this Museum after or before Sigiriya rock fortress.
You can reach Sigiriya Rock Fortress from different cities. You can use public or private transport. Here are ways to get to the fortress from main cities nearby:
Colombo- The distance between Colombo and Sigiriya is around 175km. You can take a public bus, rent car or hire taxi to get to the fortress. The drive will take 4 to 5 hours.
Kandy- The distance from this city to Sigiriya is approximately 90 kilometers away. You can board a bus or private car and get to the fortress. The drive will take around 3 hours.
Dambulla- This is the closest city to the fortress, it is 15 kilometers away. You can board train, bus or tuk tuk to get to the fortress. The drive is around 1-2 hours.
When climbing the Sigiriya Rock fortress it takes 1-2 hours to get to the top. The time is not precise because it depends on the sops you will make on the way and your pace when climbing.
Yes, you can book guided tour to explore the Sigiriya Rock fortress. You should choose local tour providers like Arabiers. They have local guide who will give you detailed insight about the fortress.
There is nothing wrong with elderly and children visiting the fortress. They can try to climb to the summit or can wander at the bottom.