Anastasia Smith
Quaint charm abounds in Polonnaruwa, where Sri Lanka of centuries past is still alive in the old-world city. Discover a side of the Indian Ocean island in north central Sri Lanka, unlike anywhere in the country, where fascinating historical sites offer a glimpse into the bygone teardrop island.
Although not as magnificent as the 7 storeys and 1,000 chambers it was back in the 12 century AD, the other-worldly historical site never fails to leave its many visitors in awe. The Royal Palace in ruins in modern-day Sri Lanka was the abode of the great King Parakramabahu and his ministers, generals and servants. While the palace may no longer boast the grandeur of its glory days, even the very little of what is left of the original structure stands as a testament to the marvellous architectural craftsmanship of the ancient kingdom. Visitors aren’t only treated to a host of breathtaking ruins but also a glimpse into the rich culture, art, and engineering ingenuity of the island nation in its heyday.
The crown jewel of the ancient city, the Quadrangle — or Vatadage in the native language — is the only one of its kind, not just in Polonnaruwa but in the whole of the island nation. The ancient structure is also blessed with a long and illustrious history as impressive as its architectural magnificence, where it is believed to have housed the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha before relocating to its current sanctum in the central hills.
In the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which has no shortage of historical temples whatsoever, Gal Vihara temple is arguably the most beautiful of them all. The striking rock temple is best known for its 3 Buddha statues depicting Lord Buddha in three unique positions. Wander around the sacred place of worship taking in its abounding beauty and retreat to one of the finest hotels in Polonnaruwa the likes of Hotel Sudu Araliya.
No matter where you choose to holiday in the island nation of Sri Lanka, you are never far away from an incredible wildlife experience, and Polonnaruwa is certainly no exception. Minneriya National Park, less than 30 minutes away from the centre of the ancient city, is best known for its impressive elephant population, which is supposedly home to the largest gathering of elephants in the whole of Asia.
Take a break from the whole host of historical temples, structures and sites and make your way to Parakrama Samudra for a true change of scenery. Dating back to the 12th century, the massive shallow reservoir combines 5 separate lakes, or “wewa” in the local dialect, and is a testament to the engineers of the ancient kingdom, which serves to supply water for the many paddy fields in the region even to date.
