Located in the cultural triangle, approximately 169 km from the Colombo City, the significant Rock Fortress is one of the major attractions in this resplendent isle of Sri Lanka. Due to the shape of a lion (the paws of which could still be seen) this wonderful fortress is called the “Lions Rock”. Even the Sigiriya name derives from the Sinhalese name “Sinha”(Lion) “Giri” (Rock). This masterpiece of architecture was built by Sinhalese King Kashyapa and this was the royal citadel for 17 years of his ruling period. Sigiriya has been made famous throughout the world for the frescoes on its rock wall and advanced water system.

The Sigiriya frescoes, fifth century paintings found on the rock, the paintings of female figures preserved in depressions on the rock-face. The figures represent the ‘Apsaras’ or celestial nymphs which are the common motif of Asian arts. These paintings have attracted people from all over the country in the past and in the modern times from everywhere in the world. People who visited in the past had written poems by looking at them on the rock wall, and they are known as the Sigiri Graffiti. Sigiri Graffiti on the Mirror Wall dates from about sixth to fourteenth century and is mostly addressed to the ladies in the paintings. The poems expressed the visitors’ emotions and comments on the beauties in the paintings.

The water garden in Sigiriya is another unique attraction where the rock fountains in the water garden still in action. The two water tanks in the summit, used for bathing and drinking, still fill with rain water, but a sophisticated pumping system had been used to fill the tanks from a lake at the foot of the rock.
This magnificent glory of the ancient architecture was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1982 and considered as the 8th Wonder of the World.