Sri Lanka is known the world over for the pride it takes in its culture and heritage. Having a history that spans well over 2500 years the island has many valuable historical treasures. There is a dedicated area known as the Cultural Triangle between three cities of the country, namely Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and the various cities in between them such as Sigiriya and Dambulla.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most celebrated landmarks of Sri Lanka. It has a significant importance due to its advanced structure which dates back to 1500 years including its special fresco paintings. The rock fortress was built by one of the kings of Sri Lanka, King Kashyapa, to seek protection from his brother after Kashyapa killed their father. He constructed the fortress with great foresight as there is a moat surrounding it believed to have been filled with crocodiles to prevent enemy entry. The summit of the rock offers picturesque views. Some believe the paintings were done by the king himself using natural pigments and colours which still last. There are various other things to do in Sigiriya such as trekking, village bicycle tours and wildlife safaris among others. As it is one of the key tourist attractions in the country, there are various places to stay around here. An ideal choice would be Hotel Sigiriya. Apart from easy access to the rock fortress, the location of the hotel gives easy access across the Cultural Triangle.
The other attractions in close proximity include the Dambulla Rock temple; this again has several Buddha statues in its caves and a large modern day golden Buddha at the foot. Of course no adventure to the Cultural Triangle would be complete without exploring Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa where you will find ancient ruins, magnificent temples and other significant archaeological findings.
Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.
