UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka

UNESCO's Description

This sacred city was established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

Anuradhapura is the best representation of the beginnings of pre-modern urbanisation in Sri Lanka. The development of the initial settlement at the site of the city can be attributed to the second global cycle of historical evolution with the generalised diffusion of iron technology in the Old World through the first millennium BCE, culminating in the emergence of many historical civilisations.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q5724 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

Polonnaruwa was first established as a military post by the Sinhalese kingdom. It was renamed Jananathamangalam by the Chola dynasty after their successful invasion of the country in the 10th century. Raja Raja Chola I built Vanavan Mahadevisvaram, a Shiva temple at Polonnaruwa named after his queen, which presently is known as Siva Devale. The temple among other contained Ganesha and Parvati statues of bronze. During this period, the northern and central regions of Sri Lanka were directly governed as a Chola province under Rajendra Chola I. However, after 1070 AD, Chola rule on the island came to an end, and Polonnaruwa was captured by Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa, also known as Vijayabahu the Great.

UNESCO's Description

The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I (477–95) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 180m high (the 'Lion's Rock', which dominates the jungle from all sides). A series of galleries and staircases emerging from the mouth of a gigantic lion constructed of bricks and plaster provide access to the site.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Geology

Sigiriya rock rises abruptly from the low-lying plains that extend from the central mountain range of Sri Lanka. It is an inselberg, a hardened granite outcrop deriving from a solidified magma plug of a former volcano.

History

It is likely that the area around Sigiriya was inhabited since prehistoric times. There is clear evidence from Brahmi inscriptions on the western side of Sigiriya that the many rock shelters and caves in the vicinity were occupied by Buddhist monks and ascetics from as early as the 1st or 2nd century BCE. The earliest evidence of human habitation at Sigiriya is the Aligala rock shelter to the east of Sigiriya rock, indicating that the area was occupied circa 3000 BCE during the Mesolithic Period.

Buddhist monastic settlements were established during the 3rd century BCE in the western and northern slopes of the boulder-strewn hills surrounding the Sigiriya rock. Several rock shelters or caves were created during this period.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q272153 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

This sacred Buddhist site, popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura, was the last capital of the Sinhala kings whose patronage enabled the Dinahala culture to flourish for more than 2,500 years until the occupation of Sri Lanka by the British in 1815. It is also the site of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha), which is a famous pilgrimage site.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Geography and climate

Kandy is located in the mountainous and thickly forested interior of the island. The city is located in between multiple mountain ranges including the Knuckles Mountain Range and the Hanthana Mountain Range, giving the city an elevation of 500 metres (1,600 ft) above sea level. Kandy Lake, a human-made lake lies in the middle of the city, adjacent to the Central Business District (CBD). Udawattakele forest reserve located east of the CBD, make it the only city in Sri Lanka with a forest reserve located adjacent to the CBD.

In Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, its climate is tropical rainforest (Af).

History

Historical records suggest that Kandy was first established by the Parakramabahu III (1357–1374 AD), who was the monarch of the Kingdom of Kurunegala, southeast of the present city, and named Senkadagalapura at the time. Minister and General Siriwardhana built the Asgiri Maha Viharaya in Kandy, which is the oldest establishment in Kandy.

Sena Sammatha Wickramabahu (1473–1511) was the first king of the Kingdom of Kandy. He was a royal from the Kotte Royal Bloodline and ruled Kandy as a semi-independent kingdom under the Kingdom of Kotte, making it the new capital of the Kandyan Kingdom. Sena Sammatha Wickramabahu was followed by his son Jayaweera Astana (1511–1551) and then by Karaliyadde Bandara (1551–1581) who was succeeded by his daughter Dona Catherina of Kandy (1581–1581).

Economy

Kandy contributes greatly to the country's economy, generating the highest income after Colombo and Gampaha. Many major corporations have large branch offices in Kandy and many industries including textiles, Sri Lankan gemstones, furniture, information technology, and jewellery are found there. Many agriculture research centres are located throughout the city.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q203197 (CC0).

Visiting Kandy

Kandy is in the centre of Sri Lanka 125 km away from Colombo and is generally recognised as the island nation's cultural capital. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0).

UNESCO's Description

Located in south-west Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Geography

Sinharaja Forest Reserve covers most of the Kalu Ganga basin and a small part of the northern Gin Ganga. Most of the forest (60%) is contained within the borders of Rathnapura District. The other parts include Galle District with 20% and Kaluthara District with 20%.

The rainforest likely formed during the Jurassic period (from 200 million years to 145 million years ago). This forest encompasses an area of 36,000 hectares (88,960 acres/360 km2).

Tourism

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is open to the public and accessible to tourists through four main entrances: Weddagala (north-west), Rakwana (north-east), Neluwa (south-west), and Deniyaya–Mederipitiya (South-East).

In accordance with conservation regulations, all visitors are required to enter the forest accompanied by a licensed guide. A variety of guided hiking tours are available, led by certified Sri Lankan tour guides, offering insights into the forest's rich biodiversity and ecological significance.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q375634 (CC0).

Visiting Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park in Sri Lanka. It is the last piece of untouched rainforest on the island and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It spreads over Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces.

Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Sinharaja Forest Reserve (CC BY-SA 4.0).

UNESCO's Description

A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m 2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

This temple complex dates back to the first century BCE. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.

The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. This complex dates from the third and second centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries.

UNESCO's Description

Sri Lanka's highlands are situated in the south-central part of the island. The property comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. These montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500 metres above sea-level, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur, the Horton Plains slender loris and the Sri Lankan leopard. The region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q422941 (CC0).