Polonnaruwa
Overview
Polonnaruwa is Sri Lanka’s well preserved medieval capital, showcasing ancient royal ruins and Buddhist monuments within a compact UNESCO heritage site.
Highlights
Once the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa flourished between the 11th and 13th centuries. Its orderly layout, refined stone carvings, and Hindu Buddhist influences reflect a unique period of cultural fusion.
Explore Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka (11th–13th century), offers a fascinating contrast to Anuradhapura. While Anuradhapura is vast and spread out, Polonnaruwa is more compact, better preserved, and showcases a unique blend of Buddhist and Hindu architecture a result of the South Indian Chola invasions that shaped its history.
The Royal Palace Built by King Parakramabahu the Great, this palace was once a seven-story building with 1,000 rooms. Today, the massive brick walls remain, giving you a sense of its grand scale.