Fortunately, human beings have been able to preserve some traces of their past, allowing us to know what life was like in different historical periods and in different corners of the world. We are referring to archaeological sites that, according to Wikipedia, are concentrations of archaeological remains in which we can find a concentration of remains of human activity.
The world is full of archaeological sites that are worth visiting, but today we want to show you one of the most surprising on the planet: Sigiriya . It is an archaeological site that contains the ruins of a palace complex built during the 5th century. Located in the Matale district of Sri Lanka, it is considered one of the main tourist destinations in the country. Would you like to know more about it? Well, you know what you have to do! Do not miss anything that we tell you below!
The rock and the environment
Considering how beautiful and spectacular this place is, it is no wonder that Sigiriya is one of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka. Without a doubt, the most photographed element is the one known as Lion’s Rock, a huge rock 200 meters high that is actually the result of an eruption of hardened and eroded magma over the centuries. As you can see for yourself in the images that we offer you in our gallery, the rock stands out above a huge plain, making it visible from all directions and many kilometers away. As for the name, it has to do with the claws of this animal, which are carved in an intermediate terrace.
A safer place
Logically, it is not the rock itself that has made this place one of the most visited in the country, but what can be found in it. And it is that here are the remains of an old palace complex built at the end of the 5th century by orders of King Kashyapa , who wanted to make Sigiriya the new capital. In fact, the monarch was looking for a safer place after having murdered his father and having taken the throne from his brother and heir. When the king died, this palace was abandoned and converted into a Buddhist monastery.
The remains of the palace
In the Rock of the Lion it is possible to find different remains of the palace. Thus, in the upper part there are still cisterns cut into the rock in which water can be found. On the other hand, the lower palace is surrounded by walls and moats that are richly decorated. Of course, it must be taken into account that during the ascent to the upper palace, it is possible to find frescoes of women with naked torso that are painted on the stone. Unfortunately, of the 500 that it is estimated that there were, today only a few are preserved. Of course, the gardens located within the walled area are also worth a walk.
Natural environment
On the other hand, we want to highlight that these impressive archaeological remains are surrounded by a beautiful natural environment. In fact, nature is so within reach that during the visit to the rock it is possible to come up close with macaques. In addition, you can also find animals such as iguanas or wild elephants. In fact, it is not recommended to walk at night on the road. How could it be otherwise, this place has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Then we leave you with our gallery , where you will find more images of this magical place located in Sri Lanka. Do not miss it!
