Yapahuwa Ancient Kingdom
The temperate countryside is disturbed by strong, dry breezes. Wild grass grows on the undulating ground, and a lone lizard basks in the brilliant sunshine atop one of the ancient stone ruins. The 300-foot Yapahuwa rock, a fortified wonder dating back to the 13th century, looms overhead. Yapahuwa was once Sri Lanka's seat of governance and home to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Today, it is an important site of historical interest with remnants of the kingdom of King Buvenekabahu (1273-1284 AD), including traces of ancient battlements. The site is also home to the unique and important Chinese-looking 'Yapahuwa Lion' stone sculpture, which is featured on Sri Lanka's newest Rs. 10 note. Although Yapahuwa is often compared to the Sigiriya rock fortress, it was built on a smaller scale. The most remarkable feature of Yapahuwa is its ornamental stairway, which leads to the royal palace. The climb to the top offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including rolling hil...
