Sigiriya is an ancient palace located in the central Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The whole area is d

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Sigiriya is an ancient palace located in the central Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The whole area is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle, the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 C 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes.

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Photo credit: © Jon Bower / Alamy / Afripics
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