Things to see and do Polonnaruwa

It is the major set of Polonnaruwa: a group of 4 Buddhas of the XIIth century, carved on the side of the cliff. The rock has been hollowed out to a depth of nearly 4 meters to create the necessary relief for the statues. The first seated Buddha is in meditation on a throne decorated with lions. The second is surrounded by the two Hindu deities, Brahma and Vishnu. The third is standing and rises to 7 m. The fourth Buddha is lying down (14 m length). The whole complex is under renovation and has been covered with a corrugated iron roof to protect it.

The palace of Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) is located within the Citadel enclosure, in the centre of a complex of several buildings once reserved for the king and his relatives:

The royal palace (Vejayanta Pasada) , dedicated to the Hindu god of rain Indra, was 31 meters long and 13 meters wide and would have had 7 floors.

The Council Hall was the official seat of the king's government.

The royal baths (Kumara Pokuna) , entirely carved out of granite.

This quatrilateral (quadrangle

in English) is the ancient heart of the fallen capital. It is located to the left of the main entrance to the site, within the fortress enclosure, past Shiva Devalaya 1. This terrace is home to one of Sri Lanka's most important archaeological sites.

Vatadage (Stupa-house).

This magnificent circular pavilion is located to the left of the entrance to the quadrangle. These four entrances lead to four finely carved Buddha statues facing the four cardinal points. At the northern entrance, you can admire the most beautiful moonstone on the site, representing the signs of the Sinhalese zodiac.

Hatadage or Temple of the Tooth.

Located on the right as you enter. It was built during the reign of Nissanka Malla in the 12th century and is said to have housed the tooth of Buddha. In the entrance are represented musicians and dancers. The murals depict the exploits of the king.

Chapter Hall.

It occupies a small area adjacent to the Hatadage. Only the base of the building and some pillars remain.

Gal Potha (Stone Book). This stone book is a piece of rock 9 m long, 1.50 m wide and 60 cm thick. Its weight is estimated at 25 tons. The text is engraved in three columns and contains more than 4,300 characters.

It chronicles the exploits of King Nissanka Malla in the face of Indian invasions, as well as his pioneering concerns about the coexistence of human and animal life.

Sat Mahal Prasada is a pyramidal building of seven levels (sat

means 'seven'). Archaeologists have yet to define its purpose.

Atadage Dalada Maligaya. Going around the Hatadage, you will come across the Atadage (ata

means 8), which dates back to the reign of Vijayabahu I. Like its illustrious neighbour, it contained a wooden roof designed to protect the tooth of Buddha. Continuing to the western corner of the quadrangle, you can see what remains of a platform for a reclining Buddha.

Latha Mandapaya

dates from the 12th century. It is a superb pavilion, whose pillars represent lotus stems. The king often came there to listen to Buddhist chants. You will then pass by a statue of Bodhisattva and the remains of a temple dedicated to the Bo tree.

Thuparama. This is the best preserved building in Polonnaruwa. It is famous for its vaulted brick walls. It is the only monument on the site that still has its roof. The shrine used to house a large statue of a seated Buddha in a meditative position

A nature reserve since 1938, Wasgamuwa became a national park in 1984 to protect species displaced by the region's massive Mahaweli Development Project. It covers an area of 37 hectares and is home to many wild animals. It is one of the national parks where the visitor has the opportunity to observe herds of elephants in large numbers, and depending on the season, they move to the nearby Minneriya National Park along the Mahaweli River. More than 140 varieties of birds are also found in the park