The mighty rock that stands upright and is a few hundred metres above sea level is known as Sigiriya Rock and can be found in the island of Sri Lanka.
History
Built by King Kasyapa, the palace on top of the rock was supposed to be his own royal residence because he wanted to feel safe from any surprise enemy attacks. The rock offers a 360-degree view of the jungles below and anyone standing on top will be able to look ahead for miles; so the king did have a smart plan.
Location
Some of the best hotels in Sigiriya are located within easy reach of this site so you can travel in peace and not worry about spending too much time getting there. For example, Sigiriya Jungles is a relatively short drive away from the ancient rock fortress and therefore makes getting to the attraction quite convenient.
Structure
Sigiriya itself is 200m tall and you can reach the ancient rock fortress by walking about the thousand or so steps to the top. On the way up, you’ll have to climb up some steps that have two massive lion paws on either side. It is believed that there was a gigantic lion’s mouth once here, hence the name, Lion Rock.
The Ruins
Right at the very top, you will see what remains of the once mighty palace. Set amidst truly awe-inspiring panoramas, it is easy to imagine just how spectacular this site was during its heydey.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.