Interesting facts
1500 year old abandoned Fortress in Sigiriya Lion's Rock, Sri Lanka
1500 year old abandoned Fortress in Sigiriya Lion's Rock, Sri Lanka
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00:00Welcome to Trending Places, Today we will take you to the 8 Wonders of the World.
00:13Prepare yourself for a little challenge and conquer the 1200 plus steps to the top of
00:19the Lion Rock.
00:20Don't get scared, this is an absolute must do in Sri Lanka.
00:29The climb is marked with good paths and stairs.
00:35The start at the Terraces Gardens gives you the most impressive perspective of the rock.
00:44During your way up to a breather at Sigiriya Frescoes, old wall drawings, a mirror wall
00:50and at the claws carved out of the rock which is right before the last climb.
00:57During your way up to a breather at Sigiriya Frescoes, a mirror wall and at the claws carved
01:03out of the rock which is right before the last climb.
01:10Once arrived at the top of rock enjoy the incredible 360° view over the whole area.
01:19Every corner has its own unique view.
01:24Try to spot some areas you have just visited in Sri Lanka.
01:32Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka's most famous historical monuments.
01:40Residents call this ancient palace and fortress complex the 8th wonder of the world and it
01:46has significant archaeology and attracts thousands of tourists annually.
01:55This is probably the most visited tourist destination in Sri Lanka.
02:02The natural phenomenon is an enormous 200 m square shaped rock, a former fortress of
02:09King Kasapa.
02:14It is home to murals, gardens, and on top of the rock, a swimming pool and palace.
02:21Lion Rock is one of the 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is a must visit in Sri Lanka.
02:32The site dates back to the reign of King Kasapa 495 AD, who chose this site as his new capital.
02:44He decorated the walls with frescoes and built an impressive palace right on top of the rock
02:50column, accessible only through the mouth of an enormous carved lion.
02:58The Sigiriya rocky plain, made of magma from an extinct volcano, is 200 meters higher than
03:06the surrounding forest.
03:11The exhibition surprises visitors with its unique harmony in nature and human imagination.
03:21Thanks to this lion, the palace got Sigiriya.
03:27The word Sigiriya is derived from the word Sihagri, meaning lion rock.
03:36The western walls of Sigiriya are almost exclusively covered with frescoes, made during the Kashyapa
03:43period.
03:4418 frescoes are still alive today.
03:50The fresco depicts a naked woman and is seen as a picture of Kashyapa's wife and concubine,
03:57or as a priest containing religious rites.
04:04Although the identity of the unknown woman is depicted in the mural, this unique ancient
04:10painting celebrates the beauty of women and has a remarkable historical impact.
04:19One of the best features of Sigiriya is its mirrored walls.
04:26In the old days it was so refined that the king could see the reflection.
04:34The mirror walls are painted with inscriptions and poems written for Sigiriya's guests.
04:43The oldest inscription is from the 9th century.
04:49The inscription says that Sigiriya was a tourist destination more than a thousand years
04:55ago.
04:59Today it is strictly forbidden to paint walls.
05:05Hope you like the video.
05:10Do like and subscribe.
05:44Thank you for watching.