Polonnaruwa - Sri Lanka

Discover Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is the most captivating of Sri Lanka’s old cities. Located on the banks of a sparkling manmade lake, a long line of ambitious kings constructed a huge city here between the 11th and 13th centuries. Inside the city’s concentric three-layered walls are the ruins of once-fantastic gardens, monasteries, palaces and temples. You can still see highly carved architectural detail, antique frescoes and murals, giant Buddha images, and enormous stupas. Visit at sunrise for the gorgeous glow of light and to see monkeys on patrol.

The former royal bath and swimming pool is one of the main attractions and remains well-preserved. Located at the corner of the palace grounds, crocodile-mouth spouts direct freshwater into the pool.

The original lime plaster of the Dagaba Kiri Vihara is still a perfect white after almost 700 years of existence. It is the best-preserved unrestored dagaba, a dome-shaped shrine containing relics of Buddha or Buddhist Saint, of the Polonnaruwa city.

Also worth a visit are the 55 remaining rooms of the Royal Palace, the former 1,000-room home of King Parakumba (1153-1186) and the Audience Hall with beautiful stone-carved elephants alongside each of its walls.

Fans of Duran Duran will recognise Polonnaruwa from their 1982 music video ‘Save a Prayer’.