It was from the historic city of Polonnaruwa that kings ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka 800 years ago, when it was a vibrant commercial and religious hub. Visitors, who marvel at the ancient wonders of Anuradhapura, do make a bee-line to the twin city of Polonnaruwa as well to view the archaeological treasures of a glorious era dating back to eight centuries. Nestling gracefully in Sri Lanka’s rustic north central province, the tranquil ancient kingdom’s archaeological park offers a delightful opportunity to travelers to explore the myriad of ancient structures and archaeological monuments ranging from tombs and temples to statues and stupas in a compact layout. Visiting The Quadrangle alone will prove to be an experience of a lifetime. Polonnaruwa, the country’s capital from the 11th–13th century, is considered one of the best preserved historic cities in the world. Akin to a ‘Tale of Two Cities’, it is phenomenal to discover that Polonnaruwa has a ‘new town’ about 6km away from its ‘old town’, which is a treasure trove of archaeological value. Many visitors opt to cycle in an exploratory journey across the city. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its abundance of historic remains, the magnificence and rich natural beauty of this fascinating age-old city is indeed too difficult for any traveler to resist.
Polonnaruwa
