Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka, serving as the seat of government from 1070 to 1232 CE. The city reached its zenith under King Parakramabahu I, who oversaw the construction of the Parakrama Samudra â one of the largest ancient irrigation reservoirs in the world â along with royal palaces, council chambers, and magnificent Buddhist monuments. The ancient city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.
A tour of Polonnaruwa includes the Vatadage (a uniquely Sri Lankan circular relic house), the Gal Vihara â four colossal Buddha figures carved from a single granite face, including a 14-metre reclining figure â the Rankoth Vehera stupa, the Lankatilaka image house, and the ruins of the royal palace complex, which originally stood seven stories tall. The site is spread over several kilometres and is best explored by bicycle (available for hire near the entrance) or tuk-tuk. Polonnaruwa’s monuments are substantially intact compared to many ancient South Asian sites of comparable age.
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