Sigiriya

King Kasyappa, a much maligned but brilliant king built an awe inspiring and exquisite example of ancient Sri Lankan architecture and art in the dry zone area of Sri Lanka over 1600 years ago. Currently referred to as Sigiriya, now just a shadow of its glorious and glamorous past as the citadel fit for a king, its ruins are ideal for wandering around in. The not so difficult climb to the Sky Palace at the summit and the enroute marvels such as the mirror walls and frescoes, are memories to be carried away back home and reflected upon. The panoramic view from atop this magnificent rock edifice is simply astounding and well worth the somewhat arduous climb. The climb begins at the end of the fountain gardens and up to the boulder gardens. You will find a few stairs here and there and as obvious, easy to climb. You will come across a number of intriguing caves that seem to have been colorfully decorated in the past, and small platforms which seem to have had open pavilions at this level. Passing the boulder gardens, you will come to the terraced gardens dotted once richly decorated and furnished with benches as resting places for the weary traveler.

The stairs get tougher here as the climb becomes steeper leading up to a number of terraces which at one time bathed in the glory of amazing and well planned flower gardens. At the end of this, a climb up a zigzag staircase is required. This staircase leads to the mirror wall. A short walk along the mirror wall walkway will bring you to the narrow spiral staircase that leads to the Sigiriya Frescoes. Drawn over 1600 years ago, these topless maidens are the highlight of ones visit to Sigiriya. Richly adorned in jewelry and dressed in fine garments which concealed nothing of their bodies in the drawings, it is well worth the effort to see them. The climb then resumes back along the mirror wall walkway up to the lion staircase. Now comes the most challenging part of the climb which is quite likely to give you the shivers and vertigo as you ascend up the narrow steel stairs along the side of the rock to the summit. The view is simply marvelous and one can’t help but marvel at the magnitude of the structures you see around you. Indeed rightly called the eighth wonder of the world, Sigiriya is indeed the not to be missed destination in Sri Lanka!