Founded around 5th century B.C., it is the first capital of Sri
Lanka which
held uninterrupted poWer for nearly tWenty-five centuries. In its hey day,
tens of thousands of people lived in a city of royal palaces, monasteries,
temples, houses of two or three storeys, shops, pleasure gardens and bathing
ponds. Among the numerous dagabos or temples are the 1st century BC Abhayagiri
and 3rd century BC Jetawana, both around 120 meters high and second in height
only to Egypt’s mightiest pyramids at Gizeh.
Sri Maha Bodhi or the sacred bo tree, a slender fig or ficus religiosa supported by iron crutches is the oldest historically documented tree on earth. It grew from a sapling taken 2,241 years ago from the very same tree under which Lord Buddha gained enlightenment.
Also among the remains are the famous ancient bas-relief
sculpture of the ‘Isuruminiya lovers’ and finely carved and decorated
stone stairways, moonstones, figures and gateways among the numerous testaments
of fine craftsmanship.
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