Amazing Sigriya Lion Rock Fortress
Lion Rock Fortress on top of Sigiriya Rock is an amazing work
of architecture. Geologically the Sigiriya Rock in Matale District, Sri Lanka,
is a hardened collapsed magma plug of an extinct volcano. The 180 metre (590
ft.) high rock has flat top with sheer on all sides and it rises abruptly from
the flat plain surrounding it. Taking advantage of difficult access to its top,
King Kasyapa built his royal palace by transforming the natural rock into his
fortress.
Built in late 5th century the fortress complex consists of an
upper palace located on the top of the rock, a mid-level terrace which contains
the lion shaped gate and a lower palace. In addition it is surrounded by moats,
walls and gardens which extend several hundreds of metres from the base of the
rock.
The lion shaped gate with gigantic paws is made out of brick
and mortar. It is the gateway to a series of passageways and staircases which
ultimately go to the top of the fortress. Due to the shape of the entrance, the
fortress is called "Lion Rock Fortress".
Besides the upper palace, the top of the rock also contains
gardens and large water cistern hewn out of rock. It also contains several rock
paintings. Reportedly there were about 500 paintings however most of these were
destroyed by vandalism and only 22 paintings survive today. The frescoes painted
in the fifth century AD are similar to the famous paintings in Ajanta cave,
India.
Image from Flickr is by POTIER Jean-Louis
Image from Flickr is by Amila Tennakoon
Image from Flickr is by whl.travel ...your local connection
Image from Wikimedia Commons is by S. G. Seyone
Image from Flickr is by GUY BUCHMANN
Image from Flickr is by Malcolm Browne
Image from Flickr is by Wilson Loo Kok Wee
Image from Flickr is by Antony Stanley
Image from Flickr is by GUY BUCHMANN
Image from Flickr is by mistermunay
Image from Panoramio is by 行摄梓地(miragehong)
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