Travelogue Sri Lanka 2010
The Ancient City ­Polonnaruwa

About 800 years ago Polonnaruwa was the religious and commercial centre of Sri Lanka. Today one comes here mainly because of the quite well preserved ruins from that time, which are also scenically beautiful. Polonnaruwa is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Royal Palace, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
The Royal Palace It is said that it was once seven stories high, although the upper floors were probably made of wood.
The Audience Hall, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
This structure is known as “The Audience Hall” and has particularly beautifully preserved reliefs and figures.
The Audience Hall, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
stairways of the Audience Hall
The Audience Hall, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
These lions take care that everyone behaves well with the king.
The King's Swimming Pool, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
The king even had a pool. Water’s still in there, too, but I’m afraid the pool manager has been on vacation for a couple of centuries …
Mother monkey with child (toque macaque)The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Or is that monkey wearing a bathing cap? Toque macaques.
The Thuparama Image House, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
The Thuparama Image House. This building is preserved including the roof. There is not much room inside, as the walls are very thick.
The Vatadage, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
The Vatadage
The Vatadage, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
The Vatadage
The Satmahal Prasada, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
The Satmahal Prasada (seven-storey tower). There are no other buildings like this in this region and one does not know who built it and when for what purpose.
Rankot Vihara, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Rankot Vihara, with 54 meters height the biggest Stupa (also called Dageba or Detiya) in Polonnaruwa. This type of building probably only exists in Sri Lanka and, according to my information, it was used in particular to house Buddha relics.
lake with lotuses (?), The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
I think those are lotuses.
standing Buddha statue, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Buddha standing, …
sitting Buddha statue, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
… sitting …
reclining Buddha statue, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
… and reclining.
Nelum Pokuna, The Ancient City Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Nelum Pokuna. The “Lotus Bath” probably served for ceremonial ablutions of pilgrims.

next travelogue