| THE SACRED CITY OF ANURADHAPURA |
5 BC |
| THE MEDIEVAL CAPITAL OF POLONNARUWA |
10 AD |
| THE CAVE TEMPLES OF DAMBULLA |
1 BC |
| THE SIGIRIYA ROCK
FORTRESS |
5 AD |
| THE ROYAL CITY OF KANDY |
15 AD |
| THE DUTCH FORTIFICATIONS AT GALLE |
17 AD |
| THE SINHARAJA FOREST RESERVE |
|
Royal and sacred cities, colonial strongholds, temple
caves and virgin forests – with no fewer than seven
World Heritage Sites declared and listed by UNESCO, Sri
Lanka is one of Asia’s richest treasure troves of
both natural and man-made wonders.
Six of these marvels span some 2,500 years of history
– from the sacred city of Anuradhapura and the cave
temples of Dambulla, to the magnificent temples and palaces
of the royal city of Kandy. The Dutch fortification at
Galle has the added distinction of being a living World
Heritage Site.
But the seventh jewel in Sri Lanka’s heritage crown
owes nothing to man and everything to nature: the Sinharaja
Forest Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot, with its own unique
eco-system consisting of protected birds, flora and fauna.
The country’s former royal capital, Kandy, the archaeological
sites at Polonnaruw, Sigiriya – the palace in the
sky – form Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle –
a world of ancient wonders.
Spiritually inspiring, year after year, visitors from
around the world make their personal pilgrimages to the
seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. |