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 the deposits archaeological which, 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 knowing, 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 palatial 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. Do you want to know it more deeply? Well you know what you have to do! Do not miss anything 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 Roca del León, a huge 200-meter-high rock that is actually the result of a eruption of magma hardened and eroded 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 on 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 is that here are the remains of an old palatial complex built at the end of the 5th century by orders of the 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 taking 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 Lion Rock 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. Furthermore, the lower palace is surrounded by walls and moats that are richly decorated. Of course, keep in mind that during the climb to the upper palace, it is possible to find frescoes of women with bare torso that are painted on the stone. Unfortunately, of the 500 that it is calculated that there were, today only a few are preserved. Of course, it is also worth strolling through the gardens located within the walled area.
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 close that during the visit to the rock it is possible to meet macaques up close. In addition, you can also find animals such as iguanas or wild elephants. In fact, walking on the road at night is not recommended. 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!
Sigiriya | Sri Lanka's Abandoned Lion Rock Fortress (April 2024)
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