Polonnaruwa
🔆 Polonnaruwa: the grandeur of a frozen era Imagine an ancient capital, where the ruins of its former greatness rise majestically among the greenery, and the smooth surface of a huge reservoir reflects the sky. Polonnaruwa is the second oldest royal city of Sri Lanka, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982. Spread over 122 hectares, it is a testament to the island's golden age. 🔆 Main attraction and history of creation Becoming the capital after the sack of Anuradhapura in 993, Polonnaruwa reached its peak in the 12th century under King Parakramabahu I (1153–1186). During this period, its grandiose palaces, majestic temples and stupas were erected. The city flourished until the 13th century, and its ruins today are one of the country's most popular attractions. 🔆 Must see · Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu: a seven-story building with 50 rooms. Three floors with impressive walls and stone carvings have survived to this day. · Gal Vihara: a rock temple with four Buddha statues carved from a single granite monolith. Among them is a 15-meter statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. · Lankatilaka Temple: A monumental temple with high walls and an imposing image of a standing Buddha. · Sacred Quadrangle (Dalada Maluwa): the religious center of the ancient city where the sacred relic, the Tooth of Buddha, was kept. There is a circular temple of Vatadage with four entrances. · Parakrama Samudra: A gigantic reservoir created under King Parakramabahu. This miracle of engineering demonstrates the high level of development of hydraulic engineering in ancient times. · 7th century Buddha statue at Thuparama Temple. · Kiri Vihara: a perfectly preserved dagoba (stupa). · Lotus Pond (Nelum Pokuna): A unique stone structure with a design in the shape of a lotus flower. 🔆What is the best way to inspect The best way to explore the ancient city is on foot or by bike. When visiting temples, clothing must cover shoulders and knees; shoes and hats must be removed. Remember: it is not customary to take pictures with your back to the Buddha statue. 🔆 Summary Polonnaruwa is a unique journey into the past of Sri Lanka, where you can touch the genius of ancient builders and feel the breath of an era that left an indelible mark on history. Come here to see timeless grandeur.