Sigiriya lion Rock

The ancient rock stronghold known as Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is situated in Sri Lanka's Central Province, in the northern Matale District, close to the town of Dambulla (17 Km ride from Dambulla town)

The parricidal King Kassapa's (477–95) capital's ruins can be found on the rocky top and steep slopes of the "Lion's Rock," a granite hilltop that towers over the surrounding jungle and is 180 metres high. Entrance to the location is made possible by a system of passages and stairs that emerge from the mouth of a massive lion made of brick and plaster. The entire hillside looks to have been a massive gallery of pictures. The majority of the western face of the rock, which is 140 metres (460 feet) long and 40 metres (130 feet) high, would have been covered in murals. Graffiti makes mention of the 500 ladies in these paintings. However, the majority were irretrievably lost. The roof of the area known as "Cobra Hood Cave" is one place where other frescoes, distinct from those on the rock face, can be viewed.