Sigiriya- also known as Lion Rock – rises from a central Sri Lankan plain as a dramatic fortress atop a 200-meter-high rock. It was built by King Kashyapa I (reigned 477–495 CE) as a palace fortress intended to safeguard the king from his enemies. After Kashyapa’s defeat in 495 CE, the palace fell into ruin, but the site later became a pilgrimage destination and today is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions. Visitors ascend to the summit through the open paws of a monumental lion, one of the few remaining portions of the palace. The cliff face also features 21 ancient rock paintings of apsaras (celestial dancers and singers). Sigiriya was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.
