Visit the sleepy hamlet of Sigiriya home to what is considered the 8th Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site – the marvellous Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Within which you will discover the ingenious ‘Sigiriya Frescoes’ – paintings of ancient Sri Lankan maidens. Choose from a range of hotels Sigiriya offering varied accommodation facilities for short or long term stays while travellers looking for comfort elegance and the best facilities should consider the Hotel Sigiriya.
This luxurious resort hotel run by one of Sri Lanka’s premier hotel chains – Serendib Leisure – sits snugly within a lush garden while offering scenic views of the magnificent Sigiriya Rock. The eco-friendly hotel boasts verdant gardens where you can observe nature at its best. Chill out at the pool to views of the formidable Sigiriya Rock and enjoy traditional and international cuisine at the in-house restaurant. Comfort is the basis all rooms are designed on at this Sigiriya hotel; enjoy contemporary facilities and traditional décor as you relax within the quiet confines of nature. The hotel provides excursion facilities to the Rock Fortress as well as taking guests on elephant spotting safaris, bird watching trails and much more.
Sigiriya is a town located within the Cultural Triangle of sunny Sri Lanka. It is home to roaming wild elephants, colourful birds and jungle animals while being bordered by lush forests. The square shaped Sigiriya Rock established as a fortress by ancient King Kashyapa (477-495 CC) is home to the time-honoured paintings (frescoes) of what are known as Sigiriya Apsara’s – angels. The paintings depict the upper torso of female figures, who are considered to be ladies of the court, flanked by their hand maidens.
The frescos located within a chamber of the fortress occupy a section of the wall considered to be one of the largest picture galleries in the world (140mtrs long and 40mtrs high). The painting style and lines are unique to most paintings of this era in Sri Lanka. The original paintings are said to have depicted over 500 ladies however due to erosion of the rock face parts of the murals have perished.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
