Sigiriya, built by the controversial king, Kasyapa, sought to convert a huge boulder rock into a castle amidst a walled and moated city. In a sheltered pocket on the western face of the Sigiriya rock, approached by a spiral stairway, are the famous frescoes.
On the western and northern sides of the steep rock, runs a gallery. Shielding this gallery is a 91/2 ft. plaster wall in which one can see one's reflection. Hence the name Mirror Wall. The pleasure gardens of the western side of the rock is studded with ponds, islets, promenades and pavilions.
Paintings : The paintings would have covered most of the western face of the rock, covering an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high. There are references in the Graffiti to 500 ladies in these paintings. Sigiriya is famous for the colourful sensuous paintings of flower-bearing maidens on its western wall.
Sigiri Gardens : The Sigiri Gardens blend together to make the perfect setting for the Lion Mountain. The palace gardens had an intricate fountain system that still works during rainy months. The miniature water garden just inside the inner wall of the western precinct, consists of water pavilions, pools, cisterns, courtyards, conduits and water courses.
The miniature water garden just inside the inner wall of the western precinct, consists of water pavilions, pools, cisterns, courtyards, conduits and water courses
The boulder garden at a higher level from the symmetrical water garden is a totally different organic or asymmetrical concept, with winding pathways, natural boulders.
The Terrace Garden at the base of the rock is fashioned out of the natural hill , made with rubbled retaining walls, each terrace running in a concentric circle around the rock, each rising above the other.
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