Historical Places in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

History of Sigiriya

Sigiriya is only a couple centuries younger than Sri Lanka, built by a non-royal person for King Kashyapa. The latter brutally murdered his father and stole the throne from the rightful heir and his half brother Moggallana. Kashyapa feared that his brother might try to take revenge from him, and escaped Anuradhapura to take shelter in Sigiriya. He built his fortress on top of a giant impenetrable rock. The evidence of Sigiriya history dates back to the fifth century BC. Sigiriya transformed overnight from a rocky zone to a city teeming with people, heritage and culture. Nobody could have seen this transformation coming back then.

Languages Spoken in Sigiriya

Besides the two official languages spoken in Sigiriya which are Tamil and Sinhala, several other languages are also spoken. These include Sri Lankan English, among others. It is a multilingual city, so rest assured you will not face any issues communicating with the locals in Sigiriya Sri Lanka.

Cultural Landmarks in Sigiriya

Sigiriya draws a vast majority of people from around the world to explore its prominent cultural and religious landmarks. From national parks to temples, there’s something for every type of traveler. If safaris excite you, visit Minneriya National Park to acquaint yourself with the flora and fauna of Sri Lanka. The park is home to 160 species of birds, 25 species of reptiles, and 75 different kinds of butterflies, among other things. On a regular day, you will easily spot elephants, deers, sloth bears and if you’re lucky, a group of leopards. Our Sigiriya guide will give you in-depth information about this iconic attraction.