Sri Lanka is home to Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress often called Lion Rock.
Sigiriya rises about 180 metres above the surrounding plains in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. King Kashyapa I established his capital there in the late fifth century, turning the dramatic volcanic-looking rock into a fortified palace complex.
Visitors historically entered through a monumental lion gateway. Only the lion’s paws remain today, but they explain the site’s name. The summit contains palace foundations, cisterns and defensive features, while the lower gardens include carefully planned pools and water channels.
Sigiriya is also known for its surviving frescoes and the Mirror Wall, which carries historic visitor graffiti. It is sometimes confused with a natural mountain or a conventional castle, but its archaeological importance comes from the combination of royal architecture, gardens, art and engineering.