The Lion's Paws - Sigiriya

Welcome to Sigiriya, an architectural masterpiece rising dramatically from the plains of Sri Lanka. As you stand before the vast moat that encircles the base of this ancient citadel, allow me to transport you back to the fifth…

Having crossed the defensive moat, you now enter the lower precinct of the royal city, a vast expanse known as the Water Gardens. I urge you to pause here on the central axis and look directly toward the rock face. …

As you leave the flat, geometric precision of the Water Gardens behind, the terrain shifts dramatically, bringing you into the rugged and fascinating environment of the Boulder Gardens. The path begins to weave and undulate,…

You have now reached a critical juncture in the ascent, where an enclosed, modern spiral staircase clings precariously to the side of the sheer rock face. As you climb this spiraling metal structure, you are ascending into a…

Continuing our journey along the western face of the rock, the pathway levels out into a sheltered gallery hugging the cliff. To your right rises the towering mass of the rock, but to your left, you are flanked by an…

You have finally reached a wide, flat terrace situated approximately halfway up the towering cliff face. This grand platform is the most iconic location at Sigiriya, the very place that gives the monument its name. …

We embark now upon the final, and undoubtedly the most physically demanding, portion of our journey. From the Lion Plateau, you must tackle the steep, exposed metal staircases that zigzag their way directly up the sheer, naked…

You have done it. You have conquered the ascent and stepped out onto the summit of Sigiriya, the sprawling, flat expanse that once housed a magnificent royal citadel in the sky. …

As our time atop this magnificent fortress draws to a close, and you prepare for the long walk back down, it is crucial to reflect on the legacy of the man who built it. For eighteen years, King Kashapa ruled from this sky…