Sigiri Paint

Sigiri Paint

Sri Lanka is a country rich in history: the cultural triangle covering Anuradhapura, Dambulla and Kandy, the eight ancient kingdoms, impressive colonial architecture, numerous UNESCO world heritage sites and the ancient rock fortress at Sigiriya, to name but a few. Even if you’re not a history nerd, you’re sure to be be impressed when you see some of the jaw-dropping feats accomplished by ancient civilisations. Whether you want to learn about traditional ways of life or explore the island’s historical religious influences, our guide to Sri Lanka’s historical sites will help point you in the right direction.

Anuradhapura

An incredible city of the past, Anuradhapura brings to life scared historic sites, structures and tales of yore. Boasting numerous age-old Buddhist temples, archaeological evidence of the existence of mighty kingdoms dating from as far back as and even before the 5th Century BC, its sprawling walkways yield views of ancient ruins and magnificent stupas rising over countless neem and bodhi trees, which are home to langur monkeys. Some of Anuradhapura’s voluminous, revered sites include the Sri Maha Bodhi, known to have grown from a cutting taken off the bodhi tree under which Buddha was enlightened; Ruwanweliseya, a giant stupa built by King Dutugemunu; Thuparamaya, believed to be the first dagoba built after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka; Samadhi Statue, an eight feet structure of one of Buddha’s meditation postures, and a similar standing Buddha known as Aukana; Abhayagiriya dagoba built by King Valagamba; Isurumuniya, a ruin of a once stone carving near Tisawewa; Jethawanaramaya, once a great temple civilisation as evidenced by its many ruins… and many more

Kandy

 An ancient kingdom, renowned for its architecture, age-old tradition and its veneration of the Buddhist culture; cities on the island don’t get any more traditional than Kandy. The last kingdom in Sri Lanka (15th-19th Century) is now a vastly populated metropolis, with as many people as there are ancient structures still preserved. Kandy is definitely eye candy for those looking to take an express tour of a city that’s even in the family of world heritage sites.  The Temple of the Scared Tooth Relic rests on the hallowed square where also is seen the four shrines of the gods Vishnu, Natha, Katarag

ma deviyo, and the goddess Pattini. Alongside this centre square are museums with artefacts from the former kingdom.  Kandy Lake was built by the last king and boats can be hired to tour the lake and gaze at the ancient temples. Don’t miss out on a visit to the historic Embekke, a wooden temple with intricately carved wooden pillars, off Pilimatalawa. If you visit in August then you will be in time for lovely weather as well a spectacle that brings visitors from the world over every year to watch: the Kandy Perahera.