Once the home of King Kasspa, Sigiriya, a UNESCO Heritage site, is by far the biggest attraction in the Cultural Triangle. According to historical writing it was built by King Kasspa as a glorious fortress to escape from his brother who would later defeat him and acquire the throne. King Kasspa, unlike any other king in the history of Sri Lanka, was considered to be quaint rather artistic. As such it is not surprising that his fortress turned out to be one that is aesthetically appealing for millenniums to follow. Sigiriya is more than a massive rock. This important archaeological site has been well preserved while work still carries on. The Water Gardens at the bottom of the rock are functional even today. While they were possibly functional through a carefully planned system during ancient times, a few days of good rainfall is adequate to see the water sprouts in action. Visitors can climb to the rock’s summit, with around 2,000 steps to conquer, which is doable for most as there are stops along the way.

One of the significant such stops is at the Lion Paw, two gigantic paws carved in rock leading to steps that take you further up the rock. Views are panoramic at this point while there is plenty of space to walk around. Further up the climb is where the famous Sigiriya cave paintings are found. These paintings are considered similar to those of Ajanta Caves in India, with the assumption that King Kassapa employed foreign artists to beautify his fortress. The mirror wall is another wonder of this place presumably with songs written in ancient Sinhalese letters. While the rest of the climb can be tiresome, it is fully worth. Amazing panoramic views are the reward for climbing to the top. The summit of Sigiriya is full of ancient ruins, from the remnants of the castle to the King’s swimming pools to the throne. Sigiriya rock stands at 660 feet high and thousands of visits each day.