Amazing ‘Sigiriya’- ‘Lion Rock’ Fortress In Sri Lanka With Frescoes, Mirror Wall And Miniature Gardens

A.Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Sri Lanka’s ancient site of historical and archaeological significance is dominated by a massive column of rock the so-called ‘Sigiriya Rock’.

Sigiriya rock (or the ‘Lion rock’) fortress is the spectacular and the oldest structure, approximately 200 meters (660 ft) high, located in the Matale District of the Central Provincen of Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya fortress features graffiti, frescoes, beautiful, landscaped gardens and fantastic 360-degree views. In fact, it is wrongly described as a fortress or castle but it is a perfectly planned multi-layered and complex royal city that covers several square meters in extent.

Miniature Water Gardens

According to archaeologists and historians, Sigiriya is a ‘unique combination of fifth century urban planning, hydraulic management, perfectly design landscaping, engineering, architecture, painting and sculpture.

Today the Sigiriya complex is consisted of several parts and includes ramparts, moats, pleasure gardens, frescoes, mirror Wall. Lions Paw, summit, artificial lake along with inner and outer cities,  a citadel that extends about 18 sq km and seven kilometers long dam.

The ‘Lion rock’ earned its name from the enormous lion which greeted visitors halfway up the rock on a small plateau.

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In ancient times, the same lion carved of rock warned enemies approaching the fortress.

Sigiriya contains miniature water gardens and traditional water gardens considered to be among the oldest in the world and their underground water ways are still functioning.

History Of Sigiriya

According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the 'Culavamsa', this site was selected by King Kasyapa (473 - 495 CE) for his new capital. He is credited with the construction of the Sigiriya citadel and the surrounding city.

He acquired the throne by overthrowing his father, and usurping his brother who had rightful heir to the throne, Moggallana, in a palace coup. Kasyapa  imprisoned and later executed his father but later he lost his life in the battle.

He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death.

It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century, which is confirmed by the historical evidence but later it was lost for the jungle. During the 19th century, Buddhist monks again returned to the site and established a temple at Pidurangala.

Frescoes And Paintings Of Sigiriya

The most famous features of the Sigiriya complex are the 5th century paintings found
about the 100 meters above the ground’s level.

The technique used, is called ‘fresco’ which means to paint on the wet plaster. It is proved by a lady’s figure with three hands and another with three nipples. The painter could not erase the unsuitable hand and the extra nipple because he has painted it on a wet plaster.

However, there are several different interpretations of these maidens that simply can represent figures from the royal palace.

Mirror Wall In The Sigiriya Complex

It is said that originally this mostly unusual wall was so perfectly polished that the king could see himself whilst he walked alongside it. Made of brick masonry, the wall was covered in highly polished white plaster.  This walled path  continued to the summit through the lion’s mouth. The mirror  wall was designed by skilled builders who used a technique  that could combine natural rock, brick powder, kaolin, dolomite and oil of a bark of Dorana tree,commonly used for varnishing.

The Graffiti Tells Stories About Sigiriya

After Kasyapa's reign ended, the monastery with monks appeared again and people began to visit this
fascinating place writing poems about Sigiriya.
More than 1200 graffiti shed light on the society, literature and people who had a tradition of traveling to see the places other than on pilgrimage during the period from 6th to 13th century AD.
According to one graffiti, for instance, we learn that the queens at the time, have worn the silk from Beijing.

Lions Paw And Lion Staircase

One of the most dramatic features at Sigiriya is the great Lion Staircase, now only some ruins.

On a small plateau approximately halfway up this rocky structure, the king ordered to build a gateway shaped as an enormous lion.  There was once a sculpted lion's head above the legs and paws on both sides of the entrance, but the head collapsed years ago. The name of the place is derived from this structure —'Sihagiri', the Lion Rock. The lion - in its ruined state - is  impressive even today. The graffiti describes the great lion and the entrance.

Both  the Palace on the summit of the rock structure and a gateway in the form of an enormous lion was built on orders of the king; however, he did not stay at the palace, which has been used at ceremonial  occasions, instead.

“...The Palace on the summit and the great lion presided over the surrounding countryside, is a powerful expression of both actual and symbolic royal authority and control over “landscape of power” radiating across the territory of the Sigiriya kingdom....” (Bandaranayaka. S.)

In "Sigiriya: City, Palace, and Royal Gardens," Senake Bandaranayake wrote that excavations revealed a suburban settlement. Eastern side of the rock was the" metropolis of the Sigiriya complex, where the bulk of the city’s population lived – nobles, officials, traders, craftsmen soldiers, servants and slaves...”

Sigiriya is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning.

Written by – A. Sutherland  - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer

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