Anurâdhapura

Anuradhapura's Sacred Treasures

As the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the country’s most significant Buddhist monuments. This collection features the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the world's oldest human-planted tree, and massive brick stupas like Jetavanaramaya and Ruwanwelisaya. The list includes the rock-carved Isurumuni Viharaya, the 1,600-columned Lovamahapaya ruins, and the mountain peak of Mihintale, where Buddhism was first introduced to the island. These sites showcase a landscape of ancient monasteries, palaces, and stone carvings dating back to the 4th century BCE.