Sigiriya is a 200-metre-high rock fortress that erupts from the surrounding jungle like a declaration of royal ambition. Climbing the ancient stairways to its summit reveals the ruins of King Kassapa’s 5th-century palace and, on a clear day, panoramic views stretching to the horizon in every direction. Halfway up, the famous Sigiriya Frescoes – vivid, luminous paintings of celestial maidens sheltered in a rock alcove – are among the finest surviving examples of ancient Sri Lankan art.
