Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is perhaps the most rewarding of the ancient cities and a highlight of the Cultural triangle. The ruins of this once-magnificent city, made a royal capital in the eighth century are spread out over a compact area of dry, gently undulating woodland spanning four kilometres from north to south, easily explored in a day. To the west of the city is the huge artificial lake, Parakrama Samudra, hugged by rugged hills on its margins that provide a beautiful backdrop to the town.

Polonnaruwa in the twelfth century was a vibrant centre of Sinhalese culture and its existence is representative of early medieval Sri Lankan civilisation. The Quadrangle famously boasts some of the finest remains in Polonnaruwa and possibly even the whole island. After just a century of magnificence however, Polonnaruwa was invaded and later abandoned to the jungle in 1293. For seven centuries it lay hidden until extensive restoration work began in the mid twentieth century resulting in it being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Most of it is in extremely good condition though there are still a few residential buildings in need of excavation and restoration.

For many visitors, it is for the famous Buddha statues carved into a sheer granite rock face at Gal Vihara that is the main draw, though some may also be amused by the newest residents to the complex, the confident toque macaque monkeys and purple faced leaf monkeys living on the forested fringes whose behaviour can keep you occupied for hours. The woods to the edge of the complex are filled with the cries of the brightly coloured rose ringed parakeet and numerous other bird life.

Polonnaruwa is situated close to the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks while the area surrounding the city, and especially the 1,000 year-old Parakrama Samudra Reservoir attracts numerous aquatic birds such as cormorants and pelicans.