How to get from Colombo to Sigiriya. Sigiriya - Lion Rock in Sri Lanka (our review and photo). What you need to know about Sigiriya

Address: Sri Lanka
Coordinates: 7°57"25.4"N 80°45"36.2"E

Content:

Short description

Sigiriya - residence of Kassapa I

All his life Kassapa will live in fear, fearing his brother's revenge. At the top of the rock, the newly-minted king erected an impregnable citadel, around which he built high walls and ditches filled with water, serving as a barrier to the assault.

Originally, the staircase carved into the rock leading to the top passed through the mouth of a giant brick lion, but today only two gigantic paws have survived from the terrifying sculpture. Since then, the mountain has received the name “Sigiriya”, which means “Lion Rock”. At the foot of the plateau, Kassapa laid out gardens. Some fountains still flow in these gardens, spraying water in the shape of a lotus.

View of the stairs leading to the top of the rock and the lion's paws

Sights of Sigiriya

In addition to lion paws and fountains, a huge royal throne has been preserved in Sigiriya, as well as alleys and caves; one of them, with traces of ancient painting on the ceiling, is called “Cobra Hood”. Along the Lion Rock stretches the “Hall of Mirrors” - a stone niche 140 meters long and 40 meters high, decorated with frescoes. The frescoes depict almost life-size apsaras - celestial half-naked dancers throwing water lily flowers through the clouds to the ground. The luxurious hairstyles of the “Sigiriya maidens” are decorated with ribbons and jewelry. Women have massive earrings in their ears, necklaces on their necks, and bracelets studded with precious stones on their wrists.

Reservoir

A 5th-century inscription reads: “500 young beauties in their splendor are like the crown of glory of the royal treasures.” To date, only 18 frescoes have survived, but, despite the venerable age of the drawings, the colors have not lost their brightness. The “mirror wall” is plastered with a mixture of gypsum and lime mixed with egg whites and wild bee honey. Its polished surface is dotted with ancient poems (8th century), glorifying the beauty of the “Sigiriya maidens”. For the convenience of tourists, the narrow staircase leading from the lion's paws of Sigiriya has been widened and rebuilt from corrosion-resistant steel.

King's throne

Fall of Sigiriya - Moggallan's Retribution

Fearing the sword and poison, Kassapa at the same time imagined himself to be a god. Living in luxurious palace at the top of the world, he was the incarnation of Kubera - the god of wealth. But the fairy tale ended after all. 18 years passed, and in 495, one night Kassapa saw from the top how a huge army led by Moggallan was advancing from the north towards Sigiriya. Together with his army, Kassapa rushed towards the enemy. The battle lasted for a long time, but suddenly Kassapa’s war elephant fell into a swamp, roared and turned to the side. The warriors took this step as a signal to retreat and left the battlefield. The defeated Kassapa, not wanting to surrender, grabbed a dagger from its sheath and cut his throat.

Frescoes

Sigiriya fell. Time has consigned to oblivion the dark but true story of the parricide king, leaving only traces of the once formidable fortifications, the ruins of the royal palaces and images of the “Sigirian maidens” hovering in the niches of the “Hall of Mirrors”.

A holiday on the island of Sri Lanka can give a tourist an unforgettable pleasure, but for a successful trip you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances and interesting places of this country. One of these is Sigiriya (Sri Lanka) - a fortress that every visitor should visit. But besides this, there are many other important things, for example, exotic animals and forgotten buildings.

About the sights of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the most widespread resort places- it is famous for its comfortable tropical climate, delicious Ceylon tea, exotic nature, history, and ancient monuments.

• Anuradhapura- the first capital of the Sinhala kingdom. Proclaimed the capital in 377 BC, this city developed rapidly and soon had a number of advantages, such as an irrigation system, an artificial lake for water supply and a high level of medicine. Unfortunately, in the 11th century the city was attacked and reduced to ruins, causing it to lose its status as a capital. Now Anuradhapura is a wonderful place for tourists.
• Polonnaruwa- Old city, which served as the capital after the defeat of Anuradhapura, but only until 1293. Here you can see a large number of historical architecture and feel the atmosphere of the past. A bicycle is perfect for getting around the streets of this city, although if you wish, you can get by with a leisurely walk.
• Yala National Park- a former nature reserve that is home to about 44 species of mammals. There you can meet elephants, crocodiles, and even Ceylon leopards, which are in the Red Book (there are about thirty of them in the park).
• Sigiriya- a fortress built in a rocky plateau, where you can see well-preserved frescoes, ancient fountains that are still functioning, the remains of an entrance in the form of a large lion’s mouth, and simply enjoy the beautiful view from a very high altitude. It is this attraction that will be discussed in detail.

Note! The name of the island has changed several times. It used to be called Ceylon, which is why the well-known Ceylon tea is called that way. Today Sri Lanka ranks third in tea production.

Lion Rock

Map of mountains and hills of Sri Lanka

The height above sea level gradually increases from the shores of the island to the center. Mostly most The territories are occupied by plains. The most high mountain- Pidurutalagala, also known as Mount Pedro, rises 2524 meters above sea level. Although Adam's Peak, whose height is 2243 meters, is considered no less famous. This place is considered sacred, so pilgrims often visit it. At an altitude of 1884 m is Nuwara Eliya, a city famous for its tea plantations and the production of this drink.

Note! Nuwara Eliya, translated as “city of light” or “city on the plain”, is a very attractive area for tourists. There you can try real, aromatic Ceylon tea.

Details of the mountain (rock plateau) Sigiriya

Sigiriya is a rock plateau that formed on the site extinct volcano. In the 5th century, an impregnable fortress was built in this rock - the seat of the reign of King Kassapa. This location was advantageous from a military point of view, because on this mountain the entire surrounding territory is very clearly visible: the height of the peak is 180 meters. Beautiful gardens bloomed around Sigiriya, adorned with some of the world's first fountains. By the way, the fountains are well preserved and work even today.

Excursions to the rock

They learned about the fortress in Europe in 1907 thanks to the British explorer John Steele. He spoke about the huge art gallery. They talk about a large hall of mirrors, which was once lined with porcelain. You can see a large number of frescoes here. The gallery is famous for its drawings of beautiful concubines. Unfortunately, only 18 frescoes with them remain, but despite their age, their colors have completely survived. The protective layer of calcite film played a key role here.

Note! The mirror wall, covered with special porcelain, was so polished that King Kassapa could see his reflection in it.

Sigiriya is translated as “Lion Rock”, and this name fully corresponds to this place: the entrance to the fortress was a large lion’s mouth. The lion's head did not survive, and now only the paws of the terrifying beast can be seen. Getting there is quite difficult; you have to climb a lot of steps. But the panorama that opens up to those who get there is definitely worth it.

Additional information for tourists

You can get to Sigiriya on your own or in a group with a guide. If tourists prefer to enjoy this area alone, then it will not be difficult to get to the point of arrival using public transport - buses regularly go there from cities such as Colombo, Anardhapurna, Kandy and many others, but in some cases you will need to get to Dambulla and change seats. If tourists are in the city of Colombo, you can use the train. You can also order a taxi, it will cost from $50*.

How much to pay for an excursion directly depends on the choice of organization, route and provision of services, for example, dinner or overnight stay. On average, excursions cost $150*. If you have a small budget, you should negotiate with the locals; they will charge much less money for the services of a guide, from $50*.

Note! Most likely on public transport you won't have time to get to the rock plateau in one day. The best option there will be a passing car, a taxi or a rental car (if you know how to drive and navigate on the map).

Walks to the lion cave

In Sri Lanka, the temperature throughout the year is practically constant - 25 degrees. In autumn, it rains throughout the island. In general, the climate in the west is wetter than in the east. It is worth considering that weather They also depend on altitude - the higher, the colder. For example, in the city of Nuwara Eliya average temperature is approximately 15-16 degrees. Airfare to Sri Lanka is more expensive in the summer, so if possible, it is better to choose a flight in winter.

Note! Entry price to Lion Rock and museum is $30*. It is recommended to take some money with you for small expenses.

Given the tropical hot climate, it is necessary to use a strong protection cream often. There is no point in taking warm clothes, at most something light with long sleeves to protect yourself from the sun and possible insects.

Sri Lanka is a country with big amount religious people should be respectful in religious places.

Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, attractions

Note! In Sri Lanka, as in most others tourist places, there is fraud. You should be careful, tourists can either be robbed unnoticed or cheated of money.

If tourists decide to relax in Sri Lanka, they should definitely look into the Lion Rock - ancient ruins along with beautiful scenery will give you an unforgettable experience. The pleasant climate and rich nature combine perfectly with beaches and old towns, which is recommended for all tourists to see with their own eyes.

* Prices are current as of September 2018.

Sigiriya means " lion rock"is located almost in the center of the island of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya rises 370 meters above sea level and 170 meters around the surrounding desert plain. The area of ​​this lion rock is 1.5 hectares.

Previously, in the 5th century, the local king Kasyapa lived on the top of a cliff in his palace. Around this fortress there were royal gardens with various ponds and parks. He had a good life :)

Why the fortress is called Lion's Rock - it's all about its shape. The upper part of the rock is made in the form of a large lion, between whose paws a stone staircase began that led to the top. Unfortunately, now only the paws of the lion remain, but they are also very impressive. IN 1982 Lion Rock Sigiriya was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This point was one of the first on our plans to visit Sri Lanka, despite its not at all budget entry price. Just imagine, the entrance price for foreigners is $30 per person! And for locals the entrance is 50-60 rupees. But miss this famous place We couldn’t do it like Sigiriya and included it in our list of attractions in Sri Lanka.

You can get to Sigiriya by train, bus, taxi or on your own by moped.

• from Colombo - if you want to travel by train, you will have to change trains in Kandy; there are no direct trains. Trains run quite frequently, every 1-2 hours. You can see the schedule. The journey takes approximately 4 hours; in Kandy you need to take a bus that goes to the city of Dambulla, the fare is $1. The drive takes about 2 hours. Next you need to get to Sigiriya, you can take a bus or a tuk-tuk. The distance from Dambulla to Sigiriya is 20 km. You can also take the Colombo-Dambulla direct bus; check the schedule at the Colombo bus station.
• You can get to Sigiriya by taxi from almost anywhere in Sri Lanka
• We traveled on our own by moped to the city of Dambulla from Unawatuna, arrived in the evening, spent the night there in a hotel that we accidentally saw from the road, we liked it, and we stayed in it for $25. The next morning, rested and sleepy, we went to Sigiriya to conquer the lion rock.

Good hotels in Sigiriya on Booking:

Sigiriya - entrance fee and opening hours

For foreigners, admission is $30 per person. This is the most expensive attraction in Sri Lanka.

Moreover, even if you can slip unnoticed into the territory of Sigiriya, you are unlikely to be able to climb the rock itself; there are several guards checking tickets in several places.

Sigiriya – opening hours: 08.30 – 17.30, daily

I advise you to arrive at the beginning of the entrance early in the morning; we arrived at about 10 am, since we were staying not far from Sigirri, in Dambulla, in a small cozy hotel.

The sun was already hot. At the parking lot, in front of the entrance, local guides will accost you; you may or may not agree to their services. We did not take a guide with us because we wanted to go together. We read information about Sigiriya in advance, and were, in principle, well aware of what and how it used to be here. 🙂 Although, perhaps, with a guide it would be more interesting at the top, since there are quite a lot of interesting things there. By the way, the guide came up to us and spoke to us in Russian. In principle, his speech was understandable. So, if you want to go with a guide, you need to specifically negotiate a price with him; he offers us a price of around 500 rupees. So, we bought entrance tickets and entered the territory of Sigiriya.

We had a beautiful view of Lion Mountain from below; it seemed very high, we couldn’t even believe that we would climb up. To the left and right of us were small ponds of water, some of which contained many beautiful lilies. We hurried to the rock. It was about 11 am, the sun was already starting to burn. We discovered that we only took 400 ml of water with us for two, the one and a half liter bottle was less than half full. We weren’t too upset, we thought that they probably sell water here, albeit a little more expensive. We met a man who was offering a cold bottle of water, do you know how much? For 600 rupees! While everywhere a 1.5 liter bottle of water costs 70 rupees! We were shocked and refused to buy water from him! And as it turned out, absolutely right! As soon as we walked halfway through the mountain and reached the place where the big paws of the lion stand, we saw that many people were approaching a large barrel and pouring water from it into their bottles or drinking directly from the tap. We did exactly the same. In principle, the water is quite safe to drink.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, even before the rock itself there are several large stones, some even have steps knocked out :)

And behind these two huge stones the main entrance to the Sigiriya rock begins.

The steps are very well made and run along the cliff. It looks very impressive. Everything is fenced in, we stopped periodically because it was very hot. The higher you go the more beautiful views open. In the photo you can see security guards, they periodically check entrance tickets.

All the passages along the wall are made very cool, sometimes you get the feeling that you are somewhere in China on the famous “path of death”.

This is what the Sigiriya Lion Rock looks like halfway up the route. It is this part of it that was once a full-fledged lion, but now you can only see its paws. The last 15-20 minutes and we are already at the top!

At the very top of the lion rock of Sigiriya there is practically no place to hide from the sun, only a couple of trees are located in such a large area.

Sigiriya from above is beautiful! And the views of the places where we just walked are mesmerizing. From here everything seems so small.

We didn’t walk along the top for very long, probably 20-30 minutes. As we understand, the king slept in one place, drank in another, and walked in a third.

There are several pools of water set up here, and the water in them does not dry out. Marvelous.

The king had a place to roam. We walked around, looked, took photos and decided to go down.

At this time, many schoolchildren were climbing up; as we understood, a visit to the Lion Rock of Sigiriya is included in their school curriculum. Great, right?

Sigiriya is one of the unique landscapes of Sri Lanka. An imposing, lonely rock rises proudly above the surrounding plain. At the top of the rock in ancient times, life was in full swing - already before our era there were refuges for monks, and later, during the reign of King Kasapa (477-495), Sigiriya turned into a complex city, becoming an impregnable fortress. Basically, the remains of buildings on the rock, including defenses, palaces and gardens, date back to the reign of Kasapa.

Everything built at that time, even in its destroyed form, surprises with its ingenuity and grace. Functional water cisterns still collect water, and incredible, sparsely laid out gardens preserve the remnants of luxury. Everyone, without exception, is amazed by the famous mirror wall, made of a special material and covered with ancient poems. A ancient temple on the rock has a valuable collection of unusual frescoes of rather frivolous content.

The grandeur of the Kasapa palace complex still leaves an incredible impression, and it is rightfully included in the list of rare and especially valuable historical sites in Sri Lanka.

Elephant nursery in Pinnawala

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was opened in 1975 on the Maha Oya River. The main goal pursued by the creators of the park was the rescue of orphaned elephant calves, who would face inevitable death if they remained in wildlife. Thanks to the successful work of the shelter’s staff, today there are over eighty elephants living here, many of which are the offspring of the very first elephant calves that the nursery sheltered.

Pinnawela Sanctuary houses the largest number of elephants in captivity. This was largely possible thanks to the increased attention from tourists - all the money received from the sale of entrance tickets goes to the maintenance of elephants: after all, each adult eats 72 kilograms of grass per day, as well as 2 kilograms of rice and bran.

What sights of Sigiriya did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Sigiriya mountain plateau

Sigiriya is a famous mountain plateau in the center of Sri Lanka, on which the ruins of an ancient fortress of the same name and the remains of a Buddhist monastery in a cave are located. Sigiriya is a popular tourist attraction on the island and is recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The word "Sigiriya" means "lion rock". This plateau rises almost two hundred meters above the ground. The first fortification appeared here at the end of the fifth century - King Kasapa ordered the construction of an impregnable fortress on the mountain, which soon became the royal residence. This was unusual in ancient times a nice place- picturesque gardens were laid out around Sigiriya and fountains were built, which were considered one of the first in the world. The famous Lion Gate, which has only partially survived to this day, led to the top of the plateau.

Today Sigiriya is historical monument. In addition to the surviving Lion Gate, at the top of the plateau there are remains of an ancient fortress and a royal palace, as well as the ruins of a cave monastery. On the rock you can still see old frescoes and poems carved into the stone. In addition, from the top of the plateau there is a wonderful view of the surrounding area, which also attracts many tourists.

Sigiriya (Sri Lanka) is a single rock 170 m high and a fortress built on it in the Matale district, in the central part of the country.

A castle was built on the top of the mountain, the walls of which were painted with unique frescoes. Some of the latter have survived to this day. Halfway to the top there is a plateau where arrivals are greeted by a huge gate in the shape of a lion's paws. According to one version, the fortress was built at the request of King Kassap (Kasyapa), and after his death the palace was empty and stood abandoned. Until the 14th century, a Buddhist monastery functioned on the territory of Sigiriya. Today the attraction is included in the list world heritage UNESCO and is under its protection.

Sigiriya is a unique attraction

According to archaeological excavations, in the area adjacent to the mountain, people lived in the prehistoric period. Numerous grottoes and caves are proof of this.

In 477, Kasyapa, born a commoner to a king, forcibly took the throne from the rightful heir Datusena, enlisting the support of the commander-in-chief of the army. The heir to the throne, Mugalan, was forced to hide in India to save his own life. Having seized the throne, Kasyapa decided to move the capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya, where it was calm and quiet. This measure was forced, since the self-proclaimed king was afraid that he would be overthrown by the one to whom the throne belonged by right of birth. After these events, Sigiriya became a real urban complex, with well-designed architecture, defensive structures, a fortress and gardens.

In 495, the illegitimate monarch was overthrown, and the capital returned to Anuradhapura. And on the top of the Sigiriya rock, Buddhist monks settled for many years. The monastery functioned until the 14th century. No information has been found about Sigiriya from the 14th to 17th centuries.

Legends and myths

According to one legend, Kassapa, wanting to take the throne, killed his own father by walling him alive in the wall of a dam. Kasyapa's brother Mugalan, born from the queen, left the country, but swore an oath of revenge. In South India, Mugalan gathered an army and, upon returning to Sri Lanka, declared war on his illegitimate brother. During the struggle, the army betrayed Kassapa, and he, realizing the hopelessness of his situation, committed suicide.

There is a version that the army did not intentionally abandon its leader. During the next battle, Kasyapa's elephant unexpectedly turned in the other direction. The soldiers took the maneuver as the king’s decision to flee and began to retreat. Kassapa, left alone, but being proud and unyielding, pulled out a sword and cut his throat.

Archaeological excavations and amazing finds

Sigiriya (Lion Rock) was discovered by Jonathan Forbes, a British soldier, in 1831. At that time, the top of the mountain was heavily overgrown with bushes, but immediately attracted the attention of archaeologists and historians.

The first excavations began 60 years later in 1890. As part of the Sri Lankan government project " Cultural triangle“Full-scale excavations were carried out.

Sigiriya is an ancient citadel built in the 5th century. The historical and archaeological area consists of:

• palace on top of Lion Rock;
• terraces and gates, which are located approximately in the center of the mountain;
• a mirror wall decorated with frescoes;
• the lower palaces, which are hidden behind lush gardens;
• fortress moats performing a protective function.

Photo: Sigiriya rock, Sri Lanka

Archaeologists note that the Sigiriya (Lion Rock) fortress in Sri Lanka is one of the most striking buildings in the world, which dates back to the 1st millennium and is relatively well preserved. The city plan surprises with incredible diversity and exceptional thoughtfulness for that time. In accordance with the plan, the city harmoniously combines symmetry and asymmetry; man-made buildings are skillfully woven into the surrounding landscape without disturbing it at all. In the western part of the mountain there is royal park, which was created according to a strict symmetrical plan. To water the plants in the park area, a complex technical network of hydraulic structures and mechanisms has been created. In the southern part of the rock there is an artificial water reservoir; it was used very actively, since Mount Sigiriya is located in the arid part.

Frescoes

The western slope of Lion Rock is unique phenomenon– it is almost completely covered with ancient frescoes. That is why the surface of the hill is called a giant art gallery.

In the past, the paintings covered the entire slope on the western side, which is a surface area of ​​5,600 square meters. According to one version, 500 girls were depicted on the frescoes. Their identity has not been established; different sources contain different assumptions. Some believe that the frescoes depict images of court ladies, others believe that these are girls who took part in religious rites. Unfortunately, most of the drawings have been lost.

Mirror wall and path to the frescoes

During the reign of Kasyapa, the wall was regularly polished so that the monarch, walking along it, could see his own reflection. The wall is made of brick and covered with white plaster. The modern version of the wall is partially covered with various poems and messages. There are also inscriptions on the wall of Lion Rock that date back to the 8th century. Now it is impossible to leave a message on the wall; the ban was introduced to protect the ancient inscriptions.

Sigiriya Gardens

This is one of the main features of Sigiriya, as the gardens are among the oldest landscaped gardens in the whole world. The garden complex consists of three parts.

Water gardens

They can be found in the western part of Lion Rock. There are three gardens here.

• The first garden is surrounded by water and connected to the territory of the palace and fortress complex through 4 dams. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it was designed according to the oldest model and there are very, very few analogues that have survived to this day.
• The second garden is surrounded by pools into which streams flow. There are fountains in the shape of round bowls, they are filled by an underground hydraulic system. During the rainy season, the fountains work. On both sides of the garden there are islands where summer palace residences were built.
• The third garden is located above the first two. In its northeastern part there is a large octagonal pool. In the eastern part of the garden there is a fortress wall.

These are huge boulders with walking paths between them. Stone gardens can be found at the foot of Lion Mountain, along the slopes. The stones are so large that buildings have been built on most of them. They also performed a defensive function - when enemies attacked, they were pushed down onto the attackers.

Terraced gardens

These are terraces around a rock on natural elevations. They partly consist of brick walls. You can get from one garden to another via a limestone staircase, from which follows the road to the very upper terrace Sigiriya Castle in Sri Lanka.

How to get there

You can go to the attraction from any city on the island, but you will have to change trains in Dambulla. Bus routes No. 549/499 depart regularly from Dambulla to Sigiriya. Flights depart from 6-00 to 19-00. The journey takes only 40 minutes.

Possible routes to Sigiriya

Entrance fee:

• adult – 4500 rupees, approximately $30;
• for children – 2250 rupees, about $15.

For children under 6 years old admission is free.

Rock palace the complex is working from 7-00 to 18-00. The ticket office is open only until 17:00.

The visitor receives a ticket, which consists of three tear-off parts. Each part gives you the right to visit:

• main entrance;
• mirror wall;
• museum.

It is important! The exhibition in the museum is weak and not very interesting, so you don’t even have to waste time visiting it.

The best time for the excursion is from 7-00, when there is no sweltering heat. You can also explore the attraction after lunch - at 15-00, when the number of tourists decreases. Be sure to take water with you, since you will have to walk for at least 3 hours, and water is not sold on the territory of the complex.

The best weather conditions to visit Sigiriya are from December to April or from mid-summer to September. At this time, it rarely rains in the central part of Sri Lanka; the weather is most favorable for visiting the castle. The most precipitation falls in April and November.

It is important! The most popular entertainment among tourists is to watch the sunrise in Sigiriya. To do this, choose a clear period so that the sky is not overcast.

Sigiriya (Sri Lanka) is an ancient complex on a rock, which is recognized as the most visited on the island. This is a unique historical architectural monument that can still be admired today.

Interesting video from useful information- take a look if you want to know more about Sigiriya.

Related posts: