View of descending steps and terraces with the jungle beyond taken from the top of Sigiriya - the Lion Rock - Sri Lan

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Spectacular view from the top of the Sigiriya rock where Kassapa built his fortress palace in the 5th century (c. 477-485) to escape his brother, whom he was fighting for the throne. The terraces, once gardens, give way to jungle. After Kassapa's defeat, Sigiriya was given back to the Buddhist monks who had lived there originally, but after c,1155 they too seem to have abandoned it.

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Size: 5388px × 3604px
Photo credit: © aslphoto / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: archaeology, buddha, buddhism, caves, ceylon, defence, fifthcentury, fortifications, fortress, heritage, jungle, kassapa, monastery, palace, panorama, refuge, site, steps, stonework, view, world