Sri Lanka
Sigiriya
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Welcome to Sri Lanka! Sigiriya is a massive column of rock rising straight up from the jungle, with the ruins of an ancient royal palace balanced right on its flat summit.
Why is it famous?
Sigiriya is a huge chunk of hardened magma from an old volcano, standing about 660 feet tall — like a skyscraper made of solid rock.
A king built his palace on the very top nearly 1,500 years ago, turning the rock into one of the world's most incredible fortresses.
How was it built?
Workers carved staircases and pathways right into the cliff face to reach the summit.
Partway up, visitors climb through a gateway shaped like giant lion's paws — the whole entrance was once a colossal lion sculpture.
Amazing facts
Sigiriya's nickname is 'Lion Rock' because of the massive lion gateway near the top.
The rock formed from the plug of an extinct volcano over a million years ago.
Quick facts
- Sigiriya's nickname is 'Lion Rock' because of the massive lion gateway near the top.
- The rock formed from the plug of an extinct volcano over a million years ago.
- King Kashyapa built his palace here around 477 AD.
- It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of ancient city planning.