Sigiriya

The rock

A column of granite about 180 m high became a royal capital

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress in the Matale District, dominated by a massive column of granite approximately 180 m high. King Kashyapa selected it for his new capital and built his palace on top.

180 mapproximate height of the granite column

The lion

Halfway up, Kashyapa built a gateway in the form of a lion

On a small plateau about halfway up the rock, Kashyapa built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name Sinhagiri, the Lion Rock, comes from it. The sculpted lion's head above the legs and paws has since collapsed.

The frescoes

The paintings once covered an area 140 m long on the western face

The paintings would have covered most of the western face of the rock, an area 140 m long and 40 m high. Graffiti refers to 500 ladies in them, but most are lost. The identity of the ladies has not been confirmed.

500ladies named in graffiti about the paintings

Mirror wall

Visitors scribbled over 1500 poems on the mirror wall

The wall was once so reflective that the king could see himself as he walked alongside it. Most of the verses scribbled on it date from the 9th and 10th century, and most are addressed to the ladies on the frescoes.

1500poems and more written on the wall

Kashyapa

Kashyapa seized the throne in 477 and lost the rock in 495

The chronicle says Kashyapa seized the throne in 477 and murdered his father by walling him up alive. His half-brother Moggallana fled to South India. Kashyapa moved to the summit, and in 495 Moggallana returned and defeated him.