The Mirror Wall

Just beyond the gallery is a wall covered with ancient graffiti which originally had an extraordinary mirror-like polish.  Visitors from more than a thousand years ago wrote on the wall their impressions of the paintings, as well as their experiences and thoughts on Sigiriya.  There are more than 700 poems amongst this grafitti, many written in very neat and precise lettering.

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The Gallery of maidens

Two of the main attractions of Sigiriya are reached after climbing a spiral staircase built along the sheer cliff wall.  The colourful frescoes of graceful ladies painted on the side of the rock are likely the most beautiful and well-preserved of ancient Sri Lankan art.  There are references to around 500of these figures but only 22 of these remain.  Some say they are Apsaras, or celestial nymphs, while others contend that they are Mahayana deities such as Tara and her attendants.

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The water Gardens

 These are a series of striking and elaborate pools, symmetrically placed and fed by a complex system of underground pipes.  Attesting to the ingenuity of the ancient hydraulic engineers, some of the fountains of the garden are still in working order.  These gardens, according to the traditional accounts, were  the  bathing  places  of  the  king’s  concubines  who  were  drawn  from many different races.

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Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

Located about 130 kilometers from Colombo, or about a 3 ½ hour drive,

is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals.  This is the Yapahuwa Rock Fortress,

which is built on the side of a huge 90 meter high boulder.  During a

period of political instability, King Bhuvanekabahu I moved his capital to

Yapahuwa in 1272, taking with him the sacred Tooth Relic.  After his death,

the fortress fell into obscurity and was eventually abandoned.

The stone staircase leading to the remains of the Tooth Temple half way up

the rock is the most impressive feature of the Fortress, and it is embellished

with beautiful friezes of musicians, dancers and drummers.  There are

also well-preserved guard stones and animal statuettes.  On reaching

the top, the visitor is rewarded with a panoramic view of the surrounding

area, as well as a close-up view of the doorway that once led into the

Tooth Temple.

At the foot of the rock is a monastery and a small museum which contains

some statues and various antiquities.  There is also a collection of ancient

Chinese coins and pottery from the Sung Dynasty, which shows that

Bhuvanekabahu had some contact with China.  To access the museum,

request the key from one of the caretaker monks who will usually oblige.

The large and ornate golden key is itself an interesting artifact.

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Colombo National Museum:

The oldest and largest Museum in the Sri Lanka, established 1877. Best known for collection of antiques and objects of art. The library of the museum has more than 4,000 palm leaf manuscripts. Among the exhibits are the regalia of the King of Kandy; ancient and medieval jewelry rare collection of traditional mask; wood and ivory carvings; an exquisite collection of Buddhist and Hindu Bronzes, temple frescoes; ceramics objects including VOC plates of the Dutch period; antic furniture; lacquered objects; ornate brass, bronze and silver objects; stone sculpture and lithic inscriptions. The recently refurbished and revamped Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Galleries are well worth to visit. For the visitors on a short tour, unable to visit the ancient cities of Sri Lanka, a visit to the Colombo museum will give an idea of the history of the country and its people. Closed on Friday, and all Public Holidays.  

Tel: +94-011-269476
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