2 Ancient Kingdoms from Kandy

Nestled amidst misty hills, Kandy, Sri Lanka, captivates with its cultural richness and natural beauty. Home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, it offers serene lakes, lush botanical gardens, and vibrant markets. Kandy entices visitors with its blend of history, spirituality, and picturesque landscapes.

The ancient city was one of the first kingdoms of Sri Lanka, having been the capital during the 5th century BC. The site was used much later in the 12th century as well, resulting in a mix of ruins from various periods. The ruins are spread over an area of almost 12 hectares. Some of the most notable sights are the recently restored monument that was the two-storied former Temple of the Tooth, ruins of the royal palace, and the artificial reservoir Panda Wewa that is considered one of the earliest irrigation systems ever made by man.

The fortress was built on a giant rock in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress. However, the architecture of this fortress is completely different from Sigiriya with wide staircases, beautiful stone sculptures, and highly detailed carvings on pillars. On your visit, you will be able to climb to the fortress and view the ruins of the stupa on the summit of the rock. The stupa has some notable statues and imagery from the Kandyan era that you can peruse.