An Illustrated Look of Sri Lanka’s Lions Rock

Sigiriya, which is also know as Lions Rock, One of Sri Lanka’s most iconic historical marvels, which is now a UN Hertiage Site is visited daily by thousands from World over.

While you climb the 189 meter Rock Fortress built in the 5^th AD by King Kashyapa, it is better to be aware, what exactly you will come up.

This awareness will help you to explore the ancient marvel in-depth.

Sigiriya was an impregnable citadel, a royal retreat, and a masterpiece of garden design, engineering and art.

The creation is widely studied across the World in Universities and Archeological institutions etc.

Lets Take a look at its Main Features.

Summit Palace

At the top of the summit stands the remains of the royal palace complex.

Brick foundations, which once held the timber buildings

The Complex was consisting of Audience halls, living quarters and pavilions overlooking the surrounding plains.

Terraces

The Fortress contains a series of man-made terraces supported gardens, buildings and walkways.

The Retaining walls were built of brick faced with stone.

Frescoes Gallery

An eye catching, but a closely guarded Frescoes Gallery, which is sheltered under an overhanging rock and is documented as exquisite frescoes of celestial maidens.

Painted in vivid earthy pigments on wet plaster, they are among the finest works of ancient Sri Lankan art and preserved tightly for future geneations.

Mirror Wall

This is another significant element in the creation, as the western face was once so highly polished that the king could see his reflection as he passed.

It wil be visible for you that ancient inscriptions and poems are still visible on the smooth plaster.

Boulder Gardens

At the base still remains the landscaped gardens among giant natural boulders.

Pathways, shelters and stone gateways created shaded, cool retreats and another line of defense, thus explaining the detailing of the interior and security aspects.

Moat & Outer Defenses

The King has been particulariy focused on the security as aspects, as a deep moat and earthen rampart built encircling the rock.

Only a few causeways and gateways allowed controlled access.

Water Gardens

The beautiful symmetrical gardens with rectangular pools, channels, fountains and islands is eye catching to watch.

The gardens show how advanced hydraulic engineering and reflected the royal splendor built in the ancient times.

Upper Structures & Systems

Royal Pool

The Royal Household has been served by a large rock-cut pool supplied by rainwater and smaller bathing pools and canals.

Cistern

The rainwater has been collected and stored by deep rock-cut cisterns.

The Channels carved through the rock has brought water from the summit to the gardens below.

Hydraulic System

A sophisticated system of canals, underground pipes and terracotta conduits captured rainwater, carried it across the rock, and has distributed it to pools, cisterns and the gardens below.

Guard Post

Defenses has been tighten by the establishment of the lookout points and small watchtowers positioned at key places to guard the approaches and stairways.

Terraced Gardens

The Formal gardens and pleasure grounds has been built spread across the summit.

The Flowering trees, hedges and pavilions created a cool, tranquil paradise in the sky.

Caves & Shelters

The storerooms has been built using the natural caves, which has been enlarged.

The caves have also made space for shelters for attendants, resting places for monks and hideouts for defenders.

Storage Rooms

The chambers cut out of the rocks and brick-built rooms has stored grain, weapons, oil and supplies.

The storage has aimed to store goods and required items during a long siege.

Lion Staircase

The grand entrance on the north features a monumental brick stairway between giant lion paws and it is one of the most photographed location of the ‘Fortress.’

A wooden superstructure has once formed the lion’s body and head.

Causeway

Stone-paved causeways crossed the moats and water gardens thus leading to the main gateway.

People and Life at Sigiriya

Thousands of skilled people lived and worked here and the consist of craftsmen, gardeners, soldiers, monks, engineers and servants.

They have been serving the king maintaining the royal court and its magnificent fortress.

Lets study the roles of each.

Royal Guard

Well Trained soldiers protected the approaches and guarded the watchtowers.

Painter

The finest Artists painted frescoes on wet plaster using natural pigments and fine brushes.

Monk

Buddhist monks studied and lived in the caves, meditating and teaching thus spreading the ‘spiritual’ world.

Water Engineer

Excellent Engineers worked at the Royal Kingdom designing canals, cisterns and fountains to capture rainwater and serve the gardens and palace.

Gardener

Large number of Gardeners has been working, planting trees, flowers and hedges.

They have kept the pleasure grounds lush and beautiful.

Stone Mason

Masons cut and shaped stones, built walls, steps, pools and palace foundations.

Attendant

Well trained attendants carried water, prepared food and served the king and nobility.

Messenger

The Messengers also played a critical part running through the pathways carrying orders and news.

Everyday Life

Life on the Sigiriya rock was busy and well organized and was the mark of a real kingdom.

The People cooked, washed, prayed, practiced war and celebrated festivals.