If you are interested in UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka, I will start the article by providing a quick explanation of what a World Heritage Site is. A special place or monument that has been recognized and protected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization is a World Heritage Site. These include landmarks and areas that have cultural, historical, scientific, or other special values that are important to the world, and because of the uniqueness of these places, all the people of the world should work to protect them. There are many things to consider when choosing a place for the UNESCO World Heritage List, and among them, at least one of the 10 basic selection criteria must be met.
In this way, after the completion of these criteria, there are 8 places in Sri Lanka selected and named by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. They are
- The sacred city of Anuradhapura
- Polonnaruwa ancient city
- Sigiriya Lion Rock
- The sacred city of Kandy
- Sinharaja Rainforest
- Galle Fort
- Dambulla Caves Temple
- Central Highland
So let’s find out about these stations in detail one by one
Detailed Overview Of UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Sri Lanka
The Sacred City Of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura was the first kingdom and the first capital of Sri Lanka. It is one of the most important and historically valued cities in Sri Lanka. According to ancient sources, The city was founded in the 5th century BC, but archaeological information says its history goes back as far as the 11th century BC. The ruins of the past that have been preserved there reveal to the world the greatness of the civilization of the ancient Sri Lankans. This civilization, which started centered in the city of Anuradhapura, is considered to be one of the most advanced civilizations in Asia and the world at that time. Today, ancient Buddhist monasteries and old buildings are found spread over 40 square kilometers around Anuradhapura city, and this region is considered a prime archaeological site.
Polonnaruwa Ancient City
Polonnaruwa succeeded Anuradhapura as the second capital and kingdom of Sri Lanka. Following the fall of the Anuradhapura kingdom, Sri Lanka fell under the rule of the Chola dynasty of South India. They initially established Polonnaruwa as their capital. During this period, Hinduism had surged in popularity, and Hindu temples constructed during this era remain visible in the Polonnaruwa archaeological site. Subsequently, Sri Lankan kings seized the power of the country back, and under their rule country achieved a peak of economic and agricultural prosperity. This era was characterized by peace and self-sufficiency and some historical accounts even mention the exporting of rice. during this time, It is seen that Sri Lanka has made significant progress in terms of town planning, irrigation technology, and education. The royal palaces, assembly halls, pools, and ruins of Buddhist and Hindu temples built during this period are still well preserved.
Sigiriya Lion Rock
Sigiriya is the top tourist attraction and the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. It is a magnificent rock fort believed to have been built around the 5th century AD by King Kashyapa. The ruins of a palace complex, situated on a two-acre plain land at the summit, and a rock-cut pool can be seen. The caves here, still contain some excellent murals from that era that can still be seen today. A water garden surrounding the fort showcases the advanced irrigation and engineering technology of the era, along with the extensive ruins of a well-planned city. These urban ruins are considered some of the greatest constructions of that century, and the engineering and irrigation techniques used in their creation remain a mystery.
Dambulla Caves Temple
The Dambulla Caves Temple is Sri Lanka’s largest and best-preserved cave temple complex filled with stunning Buddhist statues and frescoes. Carved into a massive roc, these caves are as old as the 7th century AD. It is believed that this cave complex was converted into a Buddhist temple around the 1st century BC. There are more than 150 Buddha sculptures and frescoes in the caverns, and the walls and ceilings are filled with intricate murals that illustrate events from the Buddha’s life and other Buddhist tales. The Dambulla Cave Temple is an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination and evidence of the enduring influence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
The Sacred Ccity Of Kandy
Kandy is the last royal capital of Sri Lanka and is considered a World Heritage City because of the presence of the Temple of the Tooth Relic located in the city center and cultural activities remain. Temple of the Tooth Relic was once a royal palace and later became a prominent symbol of Sri Lankan Buddhism. Even today, the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined there, attracting Buddhist devotees from all over the world. Kandy is an existing city dedicated to preserving vibrant Sri Lankan culture with traditional dances and annual festivals such as Esala Perahera
Central Highland
Three of the most sensitive central highlands areas in Sri Lanka were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. These mountainous ecoregions include Adam’s Peak Wilderness Protected Area, Knuckles Conservation Forest, and Horton Plains National Park. These internationally significant montane forests, which are 2,500 meters above sea level, are super
biodiversity hotspots. These three zones are home to a wide range of unusual plants and animals, including several endangered species like the Sri Lankan leopard, the Horton plains slender loris, and the western-purple-faced langur.
Galle Fort
The well-preserved Galle Fort is a living testament to Sri Lanka’s colonial past. Originally built by the Portuguese in 1588, it was later extensively fortified and modernized by the Dutch in the 17th century. It is considered an example of a strong city built by the Portuguese in Southeast Asia. Later, after the British rule began in 1796, this fort was also used to maintain the regional administration. The ancient urban buildings that can be seen even today inside the fort give a clear idea of European and South Asian architecture.
Sinharaja Rainforest
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a lowland tropical rainforest known for its exceptional biodiversity. This relatively small reserve is home to a high percentage of endemic species including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Sinharaja’s exceptional biodiversity, including its dense forests with a density of 240,000 plants per hectare and its high proportion of endemic species (including many that are found nowhere else), led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka.