Tour Overview

Located in the Matale District of Central Province, Sigiriya Rock Fortress owns a striking geological profile and famous as an astonishing feat of ancient technology and town planning. It is rock plateau rises to a height of about 200 meters above the surrounding plain or 360 meters above the mean sea level. This ancient wonder of Sri Lanka was designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1982, due to its universal value expressed through ancient architecture, historical value, art, town planning, hydraulic technology, and also cultural landscape features. Since the 19th Century, with the interest of antiquarians, this heritage came to light revealing its world-renowned features. The archaeological investigation, restoration, and conservation work by the Department of Archaeology and Central Cultural Fund contributed immensely to revealing this prodigy of Sri Lankan history to the world.

Sigirya – Historical value

According to the literary sources, Sigiriya royal palace complex possess a long way of historical background extended back to 5th Century AC which has been built by King Kasyapa. However, based on the archaeological evidence, and according to the research done by numerous scholars, it appears that the vicinity has existed over several phases through the prehistoric period and historic period.

The first inhabitants of the Sigiriya region were the Mesolithic humans who belonged to prehistoric times of Sri Lanka as revealed from the excavation and investigations done in nearby caves in proximity to the Sigiriya summit and the open-air sites around it. Archaeologists have unearthed several archaeological remains to prove the aforesaid information including stone tools, bone tools, and also faunal and floral remains.