Polonnaruwa

Welcome to Polonnaruwa, the magnificent second ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Following the devastating Chola invasions that precipitated the fall of Anuradhapura in the late 10th century, the island's political and spiritual…

We commence our detailed exploration at the epicenter of secular power: the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu the Great. Historical chronicles, such as the Culavamsa, boldly claim that this majestic palace complex originally…

A short walk from the Royal Palace brings us to the administrative nerve center of the complex: the Royal Audience Hall, or Council Chamber. This elegant pavilion was where the king, seated upon a lion throne, would convene with…

We now step onto the most concentrated and spiritually significant terrace in the city: the Sacred Quadrangle, historically known as the Dalada Maluva. This elevated precinct was the highly secure repository for the Palladium of…

Venturing further north along the ancient avenues, the canopy opens to reveal the colossal Rankoth Vehera. Standing at over 54 meters in height, this is the largest stupa in Polonnaruwa and the fourth largest on the island. …

Continuing our journey, we arrive at one of the most visually striking and structurally audacious buildings in the ancient city: the Lankatilaka Image House. Built by Parakramabahu the Great, this structure is a prime example of…

Our final architectural focal point is the undisputed zenith of Sinhalese rock sculpture: the Gal Vihara, or the Rock Shrine. Here, the artisans of Parakramabahu's era abandoned brick and stucco to work directly with the living…

As the harsh afternoon sun begins to mellow, casting long, golden shadows across the ancient brickwork, our exploration of Polonnaruwa concludes. We have traversed a cityscape that represents the high-water mark of medieval Sri…