SIGIRIYA: THE ROCK FORTRESS IN SRI LANKA
Some of the most significant things about Asia, are its impressive and stunning corners. Places where history is present as well as amazing landscapes and sensations that sometimes leave us speechless. At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, our luxury resort in the Mediterranean we offer a combination of Asian culture and philosophy of life.
Today, we are travelling to hasta Sri Lanka, to Sigiriya, an ancient fortress complex built in a rock as a result of a volcanic eruption 22 kilometres from Dambulla, a city north of the country which was declared Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1982.
This rock, in the middle of an immense plain, was a 370-metre volcanic plug in ancient times. The remains of an eroded and hardened magma eruption make Sigiriya visible today from all directions from miles away.
“Lions Rock”, as it is commonly known, was a Buddhist monastery on the 5th Century B.C. The monastery is built in the rock and there are caves that were used by monks as living quarters and meditation rooms.
The monastery eventually became a royal palace for King Kasyapa, due to its privileged location as a fortress against enemies.
Legend has it that King Dhatusena ended up being murdered by his son Kasyapa who wanted the power. He also tried to kill his brother, who was to be the new King, but he escaped to India swearing revenge someday. In time, he put together an army to confront Hasyapa and declared war. During the battle, the Kasyapa armies abandoned him and when he realized he wasn’t going to be able to beat his brother, he committed suicide.
The fortress has two floors. The lower floor is built in the rock, and the upper one, of which there are only remains left, which may be accessed through the lion’s door, is where the “mirror wall” is located. There was where the king used to look at himself in the reflection of the water.
Sirigiya (LINK: http://www.drymartinez.net/2011/10/sri-lanka-sigiriya-un-palacio-en-el.html ) was abandoned in 1155 and rediscovered in 1828 by a British archaeologist and explorer. There are paintings covering the western 140-metre-long wall of the fortress. There are 500 magnificent paintings of celestial nymphs. Nowadays, there are only 18 left in good state on the natural cavities of the rock.
In order to enjoy the grandiosity of Sirigiya, visitors must walk up 1,200 steps, but it is worth the effort as from the top there is a beautiful view of this rare place and everything that surrounds it, gardens and graves among others.
If you are fond of palaces and luxury, at the 5-star hotel Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are sure that you will feel the peace and warmth of Asian culture palpable at our resort. You will be treated like a king this summer. Are you going to miss out on it?
