In fulfilling the long-felt need for an archaeological museum at Sigiriya, the Central Cultural Triangle Project inaugurated the Sigiriya New Museum Project. Opened in 2009 to the public, today this unique museum is considered as one of the most beautiful museums in the whole of South Asia.
A visit to the Sigiriya Museum is exciting, enthralling and educational. You do not need a guide or a brochure to explore this place. Once you enter this enchanting site, you can engage in exploring the attraction on your own and that is the wonder of this museum.
Sigiriya Museum is constructed in three levels similar to the experience of climbing the actual rock fortress. A brief history of Sigiriya is given in three main national languages as soon as you enter the visitors lobby in the museum. The front atrium of the museum gives you structured open space frames which offer a magnificent view of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Similar to the archway to the rock in the Sigiriya Fortress, when you just enter the Sigiriya Museum, you will head into a brick tunnel which will lead you to the inner parts of the site. Inside the museum, you will run into several galleries which exhibit drawings, photographs, sculptures and numerous artefacts. The first section is the Prehistoric Gallery. One of the most significant artefacts you can find in this gallery is the iron melting kiln which is a valuable evidence of the use of iron in this era.
The next gallery houses remnants of the Buddhist Monastic Period which belongs to this era. This gallery clearly shows the influence of Buddhism to the lifestyle of people and the role played by the religion in each and every aspect of society. The third gallery is solely dedicated to King Kashyapa. The most treasured exhibit in this section is a purple stone embedded gold earring which is thought to be a priceless amethyst. This section is the most breathtaking area which fascinates every visitor to the site.
Visitors walk on glass panels looking down, first on the water gardens, then on the mirror wall area, the lion’s paw and last of all on the peak of the Rock, exactly replicated to size. This concept was to give the visitor an aerial view of the magnificent Sigiriya Rock and its wonderful gardens. It could also give a chance to those who are unable to make the tiresome climb to the pinnacle of the Rock.
The fourth gallery is the Mirror Wall Room with the kurutu kavi or graffiti replicated exactly. The fifth and last gallery is dedicated to etho-archeology of the Sigiriya region; in it is traced the history of archaeology and findings in Sri Lanka from early on to the present day.
Sigiriya is a must-visit archaeological site when you are holidaying in Sri Lanka. After an arduous climb to the summit of the Sigiriya Rock, relax and pamper yourself at one of the luxury hotels Sigiriya has in store for its visitors. If you are looking for a comfortable hotel in Sigiriya blended with warm Sri Lankan hospitality, friendliness and authentic cuisine, Hotel Sigiriya which is located within close vicinity to the Rock Fortress is an ideal option available for you.
