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Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka is one of the most famous tourist destinations across the world, which is situated in the North Central province of Sri Lanka. This place is known to have the remains of the royal ancient city of the kingdom of Polonnaruwa. There are many places to visit in Polonnaruwa that are home to a variety of historical and ancient remains, with each of them carrying their own cultural and historical significance. This is an amazing place to visit with its lush greenery and small towns to explore. This is the best place to learn about the traditional essence of the culture of Sri Lanka.
10 Places To Visit In Polonnaruwa
Here are a few places to visit in Polonnaruwa to explore the cultural and historical significance of an amazing experience.
1. The Royal Palace
Photo: Nahid Sultan / Wikimedia Commons
The Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu is a famous place to visit in Polonnaruwa that was constructed between the years of 1153 and 1186. It is a royal palace belonging to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. It holds great historical significance and has also been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Some of the historical books claim that this palace was constructed in the 10th century with 1000 chambers. But most of them are ruined now and are only left with 55 halls and 3 floors. This place also has a display of the royal bath area and many more.
Location: W2V2+282, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Timings: 8 AM- 6:30 PM
2. Minneriya National Park
Photo: Eli Solidum / Wikimedia Commons
Minneriya National Park is a popular tourist destination in Polonnaruwa. This national park is famous for its herds of elephants that are migrating for water, food and shelter. They usually form groups that are witnessed by the visitors, especially during the dry season. There are also various other species spotted in this national park, like various mammals, birds and reptiles. This national park was first declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 and later made into a park to conserve the flora and fauna surrounding the Minneriya tank. The Minneriya tank in this park holds great historic significance as it was built during the rule of King Mahasena.
Location: Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka
Timings: 6 AM – 6:30 PM
3. Gal Vihara
Photo: Balou46 / Wikimedia Commons
Gal Vihara is a famous rock temple of Buddha located in Polonnaruwa. This rock temple was initially known as Uttara Rama, which has four rock statues portraying different figures of Lord Buddha. This monument was built during the 12th century, which was known to be done by Parakramabahu. It is one of the most prominent temples out of all the 100 temples built throughout Sri Lanka by Parakramabahu. There are also three games built in this place, which are the Vijjadhara Guha, Nipanna Patima Guha and Nissina Patima Lena. It is believed that the figures in this case were painted with gold, but the hunters melted and stole it.
Location: Nissankamallapura, Sri Lanka
Timings: 24*7
4. Dalada Maluwa
Photo: Nahid Sultan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Dalada Maluwa, which is popularly known as the terrace of the tooth relic of Lord Buddha, is a circular building that is a beautiful work of architecture built during the 12th century by King Parakramabahu. But presently the tooth relic is deposited in the Kandy Tooth Relic Temple. There are many rock arts and moonstones available in this place that stand as an epitome of the glorious history. The festival of the tooth is an important and grand event celebrated between Dalada Maluwa and Kandy, where tourists from all over the world visit this place.
Location: Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Timings: 8 AM – 6:30 PM
5. Polonnaruwa Archeological Museum
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Polonnaruwa Archeological Museum is located near the entrance area of the ancient city and offers an amazing journey through the rich history and cultural heritage of Polonnaruwa. There are displays of various carved stone sculptures, delicate pottery fragments, artefacts from daily life, artistic achievements and many more from centuries ago. The museum also has a wide range of artefacts like coins, jewels, tools and many more household items. The museum from the outside looks like a small, simple hut but has a variety of information and collections from history. There are also archaeological excavations and conservation efforts taken in preserving and researching works.
Location: Archaeological Museum Complex, WXRX+PFG, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
6. Rankoth Vehera
Photo: Nahid Sultan / Wikimedia Commons
Rankoth Vehera is a stupa located in Polonnaruwa. It is the fourth largest stupa in Sri Lanka that was built by Nissanka Malla. This stupa is a famous tourist destination that represents the rich and vibrant history with beautiful surroundings. This stupa is situated in the centre of a large square terrace that has 4 entrances. The design of this stupa is inspired by traditional stupas in Anuradhapura Mahavirya. This stupa was originally named the Ruwanweli Stupa and had a circumference of 200 m initially. There is the Sandy path to walk to the stupa with a peaceful atmosphere to relax your mind while visiting this place.
Location: Road, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Timings: 24*7
7. Lankatilaka Temple
Photo: BluesyPete / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Lankatilaka Temple is a famous ancient Sinhalese temple that is located in Polonnaruwa. This temple is one of the most important ruins of the country that was built by King Parakramabahu in the 11th century. Many historians, tourists and archaeologists visit this place throughout the year. It is a Buddhist temple that is constructed with a corbelled roof and thick walls made entirely of bricks. There is the 14 m high statue of Lord Buddha that is broken from above the shoulder. There is also an impressive staircase with outer walls having detailed carvings and designs about the ancient times.
Location: Daulagala, Sri Lanka
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
8. Angammedilla National Park
Photo: Jolle / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Angammedilla National Park is a famous park that has a wide variety of flora and fauna. This park was initially built to protect the areas of the Parakrama Samudra, which is a shallow reservoir in Polonnaruwa. This national park is home to various Sri Lankan elephants along with other wildlife like wild boars, barking deer, purple-faced leaf monkeys, water buffaloes and many more. The relaxing atmosphere makes The Spark an ideal place for camping. The major attraction in this park is the Angammedilla Gal Amuna, which is the stone weir built by King Parakramabahu in the 12th century.
Location: Diyabeduma, Sri Lanka
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
9. Kiri Vihara
Photo: David Stanley / Wikimedia Commons
Kiri Vihara is a famous stupa located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. This place has an 80-foot-tall stupa that is whitewashed and the second-largest stupa in the town. It was constructed in the 11th century by Queen Subhadra. The original name of the stupa was Rupavathu Chitya. This stupa is located in the Alahana complex, which is a training centre for monks. There are also other small stupas built around the complex that are considered to be the burial chambers for honorary men and priests. This stupa is considered to be an architectural marvel, as it has withstood many natural disasters and thefts.
Location: Kataragama, Sri Lanka
Timings: 24*7
10. Polonnaruwa Vatadage
Photo: Simon Frost / Wikimedia Commons
Polonnaruwa Vatadage is a part of the quadrangle of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. The Vatadages are Buddhist structures that are found in Sri Lanka, constructed using stone and bricks with detailed stone carvings and a wooden roof in a circular shape. These Vatadages were built to protect the stupas. This Vatadage is built in a bubble-shaped design where the upper part has been destroyed and only the lower part remains. It is believed that this Vatadage was built in the 12th century to protect the tooth relic of Buddha.
Location: Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM
With some of the most important historical monuments and cultural remains of Sri Lankan history, there are many places to visit in Polonnaruwa. This place is known for its rich and vibrant history from ancient times being preserved and protected through many centuries. There are a variety of places to visit and explore to learn the history and culture of Sri Lanka. There are also places with beautiful and calm surroundings to sit and relax in nature. To know more about these places in Polonnaruwa and for further information, visit TripXL.
Cover Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons.
