Places of Interest

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

ADAMS PEAK

Adams Mountain, situated in the centre of Sri Lanka, is a pilgrimage place. Many stories exist about the foot prints in the rocks at the top of the mountain. One story explains the footprint is from Buddha who during his pilgrimage in Sri Lanka stood with one foot on the mountain while he was meditating. Another stories claims Adam went to the island after expatriation from paradise. After having climbed the mountain he was overwhelmed with the beauty of the scenery and was therefor convinced God had given mercy. Adam returned to paradise and was so grateful he stood on one leg for 1000 years.

ANURADHAPURA

First royal city in the northern part of the island, founded in the 4th century B.C. For 1400 years, it was the political and religious centre of the country. The complex belongs to the world’s cultural heritage.

Sri Maha Bodhi-Boo tree is the oldes tree in the world (about 2000 years old), it’s an offspring of the tree of Bodghaje whereunder Buddha found illumination.

Thuparama Stupa- stupa 19m high from 3th century B.C., probably the oldest of the island, preserves the remains of Buddha

The bronze castle

Jetavanarma Stupa

Ruvanvelisaya Stupa

Water reservoirs

COLOMBO

Cosmpolitan metropolis with a tropical atmosphere thanks to the palm woods. The city was build in 1870 as a harbour. During the British dominance the authorities moved to Colombo from Kandy. In the centre of the city is the fortress district, around this area you can find many bazaars and markets. It has about one million inhabitants.

DAMBULLA

A temple in the caves, founded in the 1st century B.C. by Buddhist monks and an important pilgrimage. In 5 caves, protected by rocky overhangs are 154 Buddhist statues and well preserved ceiling fresco’s. They reflect moments of Buddha’s live and the history of Sri Lanka. The largest carved statue is 14 m long and it shows Buddha reaching nirvana. Dambulla also belongs to the world’s cultural patrimony.

DIALLUMA FALLS

One of the largest falls at Sri Lanka, 170 m high, with possibility to swim

GALLE

Harbour town, historically very important. A Dutch fortress from 17th century on 36 ha, many other historical buildings and museums

HAPUTALE

A mountain town on the peak, at the end of the central promontory, hillsides covered by green tea plantations. You can visit tea factories and learn about the proces of making tea (from drying, rolling, fermentation and heating to sifting and sorting). You can buy tea here as a souvenir.

HORTON PLAINS

JAPAHUWA

Fortress built in 13th century to protect against the invasions of southern India. A decoratively carved staircase that leads to the corner of the royal palace takes you to a overwhelming view at the surrounding jungle.

KANDY

Third former royal city situated in the middle of the central mountains. It was the main administrative city of Sinhalese monarchs untill the arrival of the British in 1815. It’s build around the lake Kandy. The most important building is the Temple of the sacred Tooth where you can find the largest relic – a tooth of the Buddha. There also is a botanical garden and you can watch performances of historical dances.

KATARAGAMA

Important pilgrimage not only for buddhists, but also for hindus and muslims

MIHINTALE

Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.

NURELYA

Highest situated city of Sri Lanka (1900m above sea level)

NUWARA ELIYA

Old colonial city in the mountains in the middle of tea planations build in British style – old english hotels, post office, racecourse, 18 hole golf course – one of the most beautiful in Asia.

PINNEWALA

Elephant orphanage, at some moments you can observe the feeding and bathing of the elephants in the tropical river in the jungle.

POLONNARUWA

It was the second kingdom founded about 800 years ago, important in 11th and 12 century. Imposing remains of the royal palace, Buddha statues in large sizes, temples, the whole complex is declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

SIGIRIYA

Sigiriya (Lion’s rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale Disctrict of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. It is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka..

WELIGAMA

A village where you can see the famous stilt fishing men

YALA

National park at the southern coast of the island with many sweet lagoons. Possibility to observe rare water birds and predators, crocodiles and wild elephants…

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