North Central Province

Ancient ruins and temples in North Central Province

Explore the architectural heritage of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. This collection highlights the 12th-century Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu and the Gal Viharaya's colossal granite Buddha statues. It includes the distinctive Medirigiriya Watadageya circular relic house and the 1,600 stone pillars of Lowamahapaya. These sites showcase sophisticated brickwork, intricate stone carvings, and the forest monastery traditions at Ritigala and Vessagiriya, reflecting the island's deep-rooted Buddhist history and royal engineering.

Ancient Ruins & Temples — Map

Mlechanteur / CC BY 3.0

A

The Royal Palace of Polonnaruwa

Poḷonnaruwa, also referred as Pulathisipura and Vijayarajapura in ancient times, is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central…

Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Gal Viharaya

The Gal Vihara, and known originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city Polonnaruwa, the…

Petr Bambuch / CC-BY-SA

C

Vessagiriya

Ancient forest monastery complex dating back to the 3rd century BCE. It consists of three rock outcrops featuring numerous caves with drip ledges and early Brahmi inscriptions used by ascetic monks.

Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Lankatilaka Temple

A massive 12th-century brick image house featuring walls 17 meters high. The structure houses a colossal standing Buddha statue and showcases intricate exterior architectural reliefs.

Petr Bambuch / CC-BY-SA

E

Lowamahapaya

Known as the Brazen Palace, this 2nd-century BCE site features 1,600 stone pillars arranged in 40 rows. It originally stood nine stories tall with a bronze-tiled roof to house monks.

F

Ritigala Ancient Buddhist Monastery

A 1st-century BCE mountain monastery set within a strict nature reserve. The site is characterized by stone-paved paths, sunken courtyards, and double-platform structures, notably lacking traditional stupas or Buddha images.

G

Medirigiriya Watadageya

A well-preserved circular relic house built on a high rock plateau. It features three concentric circles of stone pillars surrounding a central stupa area with four seated Buddha statues facing the cardinal directions.

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North Central Province Essentials Sacred Temples & Stupas Scenic Lakes and Reservoirs