🗿 Polonnaruwa Ancient City
Sri Lanka
About This Sacred Site
Polonnaruwa succeeded Anuradhapura as the capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th century and flourished as a Buddhist cultural center. The ancient city's most celebrated feature is the Gal Vihara — a group of four sublime Buddha figures carved from a single granite wall, considered among the finest examples of Sri Lankan rock sculpture. King Parakramabahu I transformed the city into a magnificent capital with elaborate palace complexes, vast irrigation reservoirs, and ornate Buddhist monuments. The Parakrama Samudra, an ancient reservoir he built, covers 2,500 hectares and still irrigates the region today.
Key Facts
- •The Gal Vihara features four magnificent Buddha figures carved from a single granite wall
- •Served as Sri Lanka's capital from the 11th to 13th centuries
- •The Parakrama Samudra reservoir covers 2,500 hectares and remains in use today
- •King Parakramabahu I's palace was said to have had 1,000 rooms on seven stories
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982
Location
Coordinates: 7.9403, 81.0188
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