For a glimpse of medieval Sri Lankan architecture and craftsmanship, there is no better example than Polonnaruwa Ancient City. Towards the end of the first millennia, due to the decline of Anuradhapura, as a result of invading Chola armies from South India, led to the shifting of the capital to Polonnaruwa Ancient City. From here, great Kings ruled the central plains and built magnificent palaces, monasteries and stupas.

Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu

The Palace of King Parakramabahu, easily the most prolific and gifted builder of the era, demonstrates ingenious design and construction for the time. The palace was seven stories tall and massive walls supported the structure. Additionally, an intricate drainage system was located under the palace walls. Kumara Pokuna, a bathing pool reserved for the use of Royals, can be seen nearby. Finally, the Royal Audience Hall, is located between these two structures. The audience hall is located on a foundation of elephant carvings. The entrance to the audience hall is guarded by lions, that are sculpted in solid rock.

Rock Sculptures at Gal Vihara

Perhaps the most popular site within the Polonnaruwa ancient city and a must see place is the Gal Vihara. A magnificent example of skilled craftsmanship, here lie four images of the Buddha, carved into solid rock. The first image, is the impressive 23-foot standing Buddha, followed by a 46-foot reclining Buddha. The third image is of a standing figure with the pose and expression depicting supreme compassion. Finally, the fourth image is a seated Buddha, framed within an ornate arch.

Places of Interest at Polonnaruwa Ancient City

The Vatadage, which lies within the Sacred Quadrangle, is an elevated circular relic house accessible from four sides and up a flight of steps which feature a statue of the Buddha in front of each flight. The Vatadage is apart of the Dalada Maluva, a special area of the Polonnaruwa ancient city that also includes Atadage and Hetadage. While the Thuparama, is a well preserved example of a gedige or vaulted shrine, which once held three statues of the Buddha. The Lankatilaka Shrine, is another excellent example of a vaulted shrine and contains a 17-foot statue of the Buddha within its high walls. Also, the Rankot Vehera and Kiri Vehera are two impressive stupas which should be visited when in Polonnaruwa.

King Nissankamulla also embarked on a very large building scheme. King Nissankamalla was not a local ruler, he was from Kalinga, in modern-day Orissa in Eastern India. Among the monuments he created were the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, Nissankamalla Palace & Gal Potha.

The Sea of Parakrama

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa lies on the shores of the Parakrama Sumudraya, or Sea of Parakrama. A colossal man-made lake and bears a testament to the engineering prowess of the time. Furthermore, the lake was built to feed the thousands of acres of rice paddies that surrounded the region. King Parakramabanu was the builder of the lake and its named after him. A statue of the great King is located on the southern side of the lake.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass

Things to see in Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Vatadage Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Vatadage

The Vatadage in Polonnaruwa is par excellence in vatadage design and gives an incredible view of what a complete vatadage would actually have looked like.
Thuparama Image House Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Thuparama Image House

The Thuparama Image is an elaborately carved brick and stone building with ornate carvings that seem to pop out of the walls in their intricacy.
Lankathilaka Image House Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Lankathilaka Image House

Lankathilaka Image House is now in ruin, but even these are most spectacular. Outer walls of this shrine is carved with perfectly three-dimensional detail.
Rankoth Vehera Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Rankoth Vehera

Rankoth Vehera is the largest and most important stupa in the whole of Polonnaruwa. Today its preserved wonderfully in its original brick form.
Nissankamalla Palace Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Nissankamalla Palace

The audience hall of King Nissankamalla Palace is guarded by incredibly detailed lions which sit at the head of the stairway, looking out onto the plain.
Hetadage Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Hetadage

Hetadage borrows its evocative name from its very construction design. “Heta” means sixty, and it may have contained sixty relics and images of the Buddha.
Gal Viharaya Statue Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Gal Viharaya

An incredible work of art and one of the most unique sites in Polonnaruwa is the Gal viharaya. The entire area is composed of nothing more than pure rock.
Royal Palace king Parakramahabu guided tour of the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu

Among the sites in the city of Polonaruwa is the royal palace King Parakramabahu I, its greates monarch. The main building was a part of a huge palace.
Parakramabahu Statue Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Parakramabahu Statue

Parakramabahu statue is located near the Parakrama Reservoir and is belived to be that of King Parakramabahu 1. Some believe it is that of Rishi Pulastya.
Gal Potha Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Gal Potha

Gal Potha, literally translated as ‘Stone Book’, is written in three columns and with 4,300 characters. It is the most self-appraising ancient inscription.
Nissanka Latha Mandapaya Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya was more like an arms hall built by King Nissanka Malla for his personal benefit and for listening to Buddhist sermons.
Pabalu Vehera Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Pabalu Vehera

An unusually shaped brick building, with a design not seen anywhere in the country, the Pabalu Vehera was probably commissioned by Queen Rupavati.
Atadage Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Atadage

The Atadage is an important building in ancient Polonnaruwa. It belongs to the Dalada Maluva, a group of the most revered religious structures in the city.