Located in the Matale District of Sri Lanka, the Sigiriya Rock fortress is a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres high that was converted into a fortress by King Kashyapa. Sri Lanka tours are not complete without a visit to this 8th wonder of the world and Jetwing Travels offers many Sri Lanka Travel itineraries including this rather curious site. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Sigiriya is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. The grounds are elaborate with many ponds and fountains which still function bearing example to the excellent and rather complex hydro engineering techniques of the ancient Sinhalese which still manages to baffle the present day engineers. The palace complex was built on top of the rock and looking at what remains of it today, it is easy to imagine the dazzling splendour it may have had in the bygone days. However, the most popular feature of this rock fortress may be the large lion gate through which one has to enter the palace steps. It is said that in the olden days, the entrance to the palace was through the mouth of a lion of which the front paws still remain. It is from this extraordinary feature that the lion rock has gained its name.
Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+