By Sigiriya, a complex containing an ancient palace and a fortress, is one of the most important of the historical monuments of Sri Lanka and was built by King Kashyapa between 477 and 495 AD. Not only is it historically valuable, it is of great archaeological significance too and is a World Heritage Site listed by the UNESCO. It attracted the attention of several archaeologists even as early as in the 1800’s. Sigiriya, also called Sinhagiri, means Lion’s Rock. A major tourist attraction, hordes of tourists visit this place every year. It is located between Dambulla Town and Habarane Town in the heart of Sri Lanka (central province). Standing on a majestic rocky plateau, it is a perfect example of urban planning and architecture of long ago and is preserved well. It is 370 m above the sea level. There are around 1200 steps to climb to reach the summit. The relics of a citadel can be seen here. The plateau is formed from the hardened magma of a volcano that eroded long back. The most captivating sight here is the royal palace. The fortress is surrounded by the Sigiriya Jungles and is at a level of 200 m above the jungles. Nature in conformity with human imagination creates a harmonious blend making it a unique view.
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