 Palace of King Parakramabahu | ||
| Polonnaruwa | ||
| province | Northern Central Province | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | approx. 15,000 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 359,000   | ||
| height | unknown | |
| no value for height on Wikidata: | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Polonnaruwa is a city in Sri Lankas north central province. The beautiful old royal city is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
background
Polonnaruwa is the capital of the district of the same name and is located in the dry zone in the northern central province. However, this is primarily the tourist attraction Holy city, it is north of the modern city.
Polonnaruwa was on the border of the Sinhalese kingdoms Rajarata and Ruhunu. In 1017 AD. conquered the South Indian Chola the Kingdom of Rajarata, destroyed the old capital Anuradhapura and settled in Polonnaruwa. After the Chola could be expelled again in 1070, the Sinhala rulers expanded Polonnaruwa to become their capital. In the period that followed, numerous buildings were built, and the land's irrigation was expanded. The largest reservoir is that Parakrama Samudrawhich was dammed around 1250, it is fed by the water of the nearby Mahaweli Ganga and its tributaries. But towards the end of the 13th century, the Sinhalese rulers left the city and moved their residence to it Kurunegala, and Polonnaruwa became meaningless. The city was overgrown by the jungle and only rediscovered by the British in 1820. The excavations then took place around 1890. Since 1982 the ruins belong to this Holy city to the UNESCO world cultural heritage.
getting there
| Distances (kilometers of road) | |
| Sigiriya | 57 km |
|---|---|
| Dambulla | 72 km |
| Anuradhapura | 103 km |
| Trincomalee | 112 km |
| Kandy | 134 km |
| Colombo | 216 km |
By train
Polonnaruwa is on the railway line between Gal Oya Junction and Batticaola on the Osat coast
Railway stations: 1 Perakum Uyana, 2 Kaduruwela
In the street
mobility
Tourist Attractions
Old royal city: North of today's Polonnaruwa is the ancient Polannaruwa, the old royal city from the 10th century.
- 1 Palace of King Parakramabahu, built in the 2nd half of the 12th century. Only the substructure and some massive brick walls are left of what was once a seven-storey building.
- 2 Palace of King Nissanka Malla, built shortly before the end of the 12th century, the substructure and the granite columns of the audience hall have been preserved. A few meters further you will find the bathroom Kumara Pokuna
- Tooth Relic Terrace. When Polonnaruwa was the capital, the tooth relic naturally also belonged in a worthy temple in the capital. This was on a terrace, the actual temple was in Hatadage named building, next to the rotunda Vatadage, a formerly covered dagoba and the Thuparama, a statue house (scaffolded in 2014).
- 3 Shiva devale
- 4 Alahana Pirivena Complex - Buddhist temple complex
- 5 Kiri Vihara Lankatilaka Gedige - temple
- 6 Gal Vihara - Temple of a large reclining Buddha, next to it a seated Buddha and other statues, the protective roofs are less beautiful.
- 7 Demala Maha Seya - temple
- 8 Topa Wewa Lake and Parakrama Samudra Reservoir
activities
shop
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
- 1 Polonnaruwa Rest House. Tel.: (0)27-22299.
- 3 Samagi Villa Safari
- 4 Thisara Guest House
- Giritale hotel
- Hotel Seruwa. Tel.: (0)27 222 2411, Fax: (0)27-2222411.
health
Practical advice
| Phone code | 027 |
|---|---|
