One of Sri Lanka’s most distinctive and fascinating landmarks is the ancient fortress of Sigiriya. Located atop a massive 200m-high column of rock that dominates a vast plain, Sigiriya was built between 477-495 CE (AD) by a king as a refuge during a war. Eventually the place became a Buddhist monastery before being abandoned in the 13th-14th century.

Once you enter the grounds and walk towards the hill, you will get a great view of Sigiriya looming ahead of you. You’ll also notice the pleasant landscaped gardens on the grounds, that are set out in neat patterns with terraces and fountains. On one side of the grounds, there is even a large man-made reservoir that is still in use.  In terms of wildlife, look out for monkeys, monitors and even peacocks roaming around.

Climbing up the rock takes you past beautiful frescoes of some very voluptuous maidens along the walls. Unfortunately, some of the paintings have been smeared, either through vandalism or an attempt at modesty by overzealous guardians. Near the top, you will reach Lion Gate, a stone staircase flanked by huge lion’s paws, which signify the final route to the actual fortress on top. A quick climb brings you to the fortress of Sigiriya and magnificent views of the plains all around.

The fortress exists as ruins, with much of the base structures intact. It was much larger than I expected, and it is easy to understand why the king, Kashyapa, would build a fortress there. Despite building Sigiriya, he met a sad end because after losing a battle to his half-brother and claimant to the throne, he is said to have committed suicide.

Sigiriya is a cool site to visit, but it’s also an example of Sri Lanka’s over 2,000 years of history, impressive even by Asian standards. Sigiriya is over 90 km from Kandy, which is about a 2.5-hour drive. I visited Sigiriya and Dambulla, a Buddhist cave temple with murals that is over 2,000 years old, on a daytrip from Kandy with a driver which my hotel helped me hire.