From far in the distance, our destination stands high above the landscape. Sigiriya, the Lion Rock cannot be missed.
The history of this 200 metre high granite rock goes back to the 3rd century BC when Buddhist monks were thought to have established a retreat here. However the reason the fortress was built on Lion Rock occurred in the 5th Century AD. A family feud over the heirarchy resulted in King Dhatusena’s son by a consort, Kasyapa, exiling the favoured son, Mogallana and eventually having his father walled up in a chamber until he died. Realising that Mogallana would attack to avenge his father, Kasyapa built a fortress at the top of Sigiriya.
The invasion did eventually happen but the fortress did not save Kasyapa as he left it to meet the troops on the ground. He eventually killed himself when he feared he would be captured.
Sigiriya was then handed back to the Buddhists who abandoned in 1155 until it was rediscovered by the British in 1828.
Extensive landscape gardens surround the rock. Built between 477AD and 495AD, they are amongst the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. To reach the rock, you  follow the path through the Water Gardens with its two ponds on either side.
Boulders found at the foot of the rock were used to created the Boulder Gardens through which we start our climb of the 750 steps.
A walkaway has been built around the wall of the rock. A feature of this rock face is Sigiriya’s famous painted frescoes, the Sigiriya Damsels. Originally they were thought to be of King Kasyapa’s concubines but it is now thought that they are more likely to be pictures of celestial nymphs. Just past here is the Mirror Wall, an area of rock face originally coated in highly polished plaster. The wall is covered in graffiti and records early visitors impressions of Sigiriya.
After passing the damsels, the climb takes you to a terrace where you can rest before heading up the stairs to the final part of the climb. Originally a giant lion sculpture meant you would arrive at the top via the lion’s mouth but all that remains are  two gigantic lions paws.
After the final assault up a rickety iron ladder attached to the wall of the rock, you arrive at the top of Sigiriya. Â The views from here over the country side are magnificent but it is the remains of the King’s Upper Palace that amaze me. I am left intrigued as to how this could have been constructed.
The view from the top of Sigiriya shows how extensive the gardens are….and how far we have climbed!
Sigiriya was a forty five minute trip from our hotel, the Heritance Kandalama in Dambulla.
The entrance fee for the ancient city of Sigiriya is $US30 per person
I would recommend an early start to beat the heat and the crowds!
This looks like such an adventure! Climbing rocks, being among greenery, and spotting a fresco – this really is my kind of trip! I really love the fresco of the nymphs – do you know how old it is? Have they implemented any preservation methods e.g. barriers?
The frescoes were painted in the 5th century Shing. They were roped off from the walkways and could not be touched. It was quite a climb..easier than I thought but the rickety old ladders were a bit scary!
I enjoyed the story behind this Lion rock. Really our old architecture was awesome thing. Sigiriya looks very beautiful in your clicks.
Thanks Peter. It’s quite an interesting story isn’t it! The engineering feat that was needed to build the palace was amazing. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
That is a long time to maintain a garden. It is not until you see the steps that you realize the height of the rock!
Sure is Jan! It’s actually not a hard climb though the stairs are a a bit rickety but the view makes it all worthwhile!
What an interesting spot to visit and amazing t think of gardens going back so many centuries. I can well imagine that you want to be up and down from the rock before the scorching heat hits.
I found it all fascinating too Leigh. The history was intriguing. Yes the heat and the crowds can be quite overwhelming!
That’s a whopping hunk of rock! I wonder if I’d be brave enough to climb it?? I think I’d at least have to see the damsels …
The damsels are pretty low down Red so you’d be OK but it’s not a hard climb and the view and seeing the remains of the palace make it all worthwhile!
Hi Jenny, thanks for the history bit about Sirigaya. It’s interesting. I knew it was a Buddhist retreat but didn’t know about the royal brothers. Your photographs are so dramatic. I love the fresco and the shots from above. I’m now so inspired to visit this place.
Thanks Marisol. I found the history intriguing too. Sri Lanka is a great country and Sigiriya one of it’s highlights!
What an amazing place! And it would take a few months of Stairmaster preparation to take on that stairway but it sure would be worth it. Great tale today!
Thanks Jackie. It is worth the climb though the legs were a bit like jelly when I reached the top!
I guess we’re the beneficiaries of this family feud. It is a beautiful spot, one I’d love to see.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
So true Marcia. We are definitely the beneficiaries! It is quite rewarding to climb to the top.
There is so much beauty and history to learn about in the world! This looks like a great place for an adventure and one I wouldn’t miss if I was in the area.
It is certainly one not to miss Debbie. Sri Lanka is quite and interesting island with so many varied things to do and see.
I love reading about (and seeing photos of) places I haven’t heard of before. Thanks for sharing!
A pleasure Michael. It’s always great to learn something new about a country.
I so want to visit this place if I ever make it to Sri Lanka even just to see those beautiful painted frescoes. It’s beautiful and those views are breathtaking! It’s definitely worth the climb up some old stairs. I can’t get over how extensive the gardens look from above. Beautiful shots!
Thanks Mary. It is quite an amazing place. We didn’t know what to expect when we got to the top so we were pleasantly surprised. The frescoes were beautiful.
The husband of a good friend of mine is from Sri Lanka and every time I see their photos I want to visit – such a beautiful country! Can you imagine making that climb with building materials??
It really is a beautiful country Lisa. There’s so much to see and it’s all very different. I can’t imagine it but I’m sure there would have been a small army of people taking materials up there!
Wow! I don’t know if I could convince myself to go up that rickety ladder. It’s truly amazing that they were able to build all this so many centuries ago. The view from the top looks like it is worth the climb.
It’s certainly worth going to the top Michele.I can just picture an army of workers scurrying over the rock like miniature ants carrying building materials to the top. The palaces were made of stone which presumably was taken from the rock.
That is quite a climb. Reminds me a bit of the Batu Caves in Malaysia. You’re so exhausted when you get to the top you need a long rest before you can explore!
It was quite a climb Arianwen, though we took out time and stopped to take in the views and sights on the way. It was definitely worth it..a stunning view from the top. I haven’t visited the Batu Caves yet but I’ll remember that it’s long climb for when I do!Thanks for visiting.