Regarded by some as the 8th Wonder of the World, Sigiria is a fortress built on top of a 600ft lump of rock in the middle of the jungle.
Built between AD477-484 by King Kassapa, who had somewhat murderously claimed the Sri Lankan throne by bumping off his old man. His half-brother, Moggallana had fled to India and Kassapa knew that one day Moggallana would return with an army to fight for the throne. So Kassapa built a near impregnable fortress palace on the top.
The name Sigiriya actually means "Lion Rock" as the rock was transformed into an huge recumbent lion by the addition of a brick-built lion head and foreparts. Only the paws, shown here, now remain. There are 1202 steps to get to the top apparently.
This gives a better idea of the scale of the thing - this is the Lions Platform - about half way up.
The famous sensuous Sigiyia Maidens - some remarkable frescoes. Originally there were 500 odd of them now only about 20 survive.
A 1500 year pre-cursor to Page 3 perhaps?
Nearly at the top - and now hijacked (there's no escaping them) by a "tour guide" who was most insistent we got a photo taken here.
View from the top.
Looking down to the Terrace and Water Gardens and ponds that were orginally bathing pools. There is a moat too which could be used to flood the whole area as another line of defence.
The pool on the top. Fancy a dip?
And this is King Kassapa's stone-cut throne where he could watch some of his 500-odd wives frolic in the pool.
After a bite to eat (more rice and curry feasting) we head back to our bus.