Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka's second ancient capital, where remarkably well-preserved royal palaces, temples and rock-carved Buddha statues sit within an easily explored archaeological park.
A Remarkable Ancient Royal Capital.
Polonnaruwa succeeded Anuradhapura as Sri Lanka's capital in the 11th century and preserves some of the island's finest medieval architecture. The Royal Palace complex, the Quadrangle's cluster of temples, and the Gal Vihara's monumental rock-cut Buddha statues are all within a compact, walkable — or more commonly, cycled — archaeological park.
Its condition and scale make it an easy complement to Sigiriya and Dambulla, and it's often paired with a safari at nearby Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park, both known for large seasonal elephant gatherings.
Plan Your Visit
What to Experience
Gal Vihara
Four monumental Buddha statues carved directly from a single granite rock face.
The Royal Palace & Quadrangle
The ruins of King Parakramabahu's seven-storey palace alongside a dense cluster of ancient shrines.
Minneriya Elephant Safari
A nearby national park famous for "The Gathering" — one of Asia's largest wild elephant congregations.
Polonnaruwa in Pictures
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