Sigiriya, the incredibly ancient rock fortress
Sigiriya, also known as Sinhagiri, is an ancient rock fortress in the northern Matale District of Sri Lanka’s Central Province, near the town of Dambulla. The area around Sigiriya could have been inhabited since prehistoric times, and there is clear evidence that Buddhist monks occupied the numerous rock shelters and caves in this area.
This space was once a large forest that became a hill due to storms and landslides and was chosen as King Kashyapa’s new capital. He built his palace on top of the rock and painted the sides with vibrant frescoes. It was abandoned after the king’s death and turned into a Buddhist monastery.