Polonnaruwa: Top 8 Historical Ruins to Explore

When it comes to tourism, Sri Lanka has been gaining quite some attention in recent days because of its myriad charisma and hidden beauties. Lying in the belly of this country is the beautiful city of Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa, an ancient and not so much discovered gem, is a home for great history, and contribution to art and archaeology. You simply cannot afford to miss this city when visiting Sri Lanka.

Not convinced yet? Delving deeper, this venerable city, which previously stood as the capital for prominent kingdoms, is now esteemed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Filled with enormous beauty all around, some important sites like temples, monasteries, and palaces, are some sites that should be must-visit in everyone’s list.

Polonnaruwa Entrance Fee

Before going any further you must know the budgetary expenses of this trip, of which your entry fee is a part. The entry cost for Polonnaruwa is $ 25 and they also offer a good discount to SAARC members.

So make sure to carry your passport. This amount may seem a bit much initially, but it is spent on preserving the UNESCO site, so it makes sense, right?

Polonnaruwa: 8 Famous Ancient Ruins You Should Not Miss

Here are the 8 amazing sites that deserve everyone’s eye.

1. The Museum

The Museum is the starting point of your Polonnaruwa’s visit and this is also where you can get entry tickets to visit the important ruins. The Museum looks quite interesting and will give you detailed information on the sites, their names, and their importance.

Pro tip: Make sure to pick the free information booklet provided by the Museum.

Museum Opening Time: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

2. Citadel

Citadel in history is generally used for places that are owned by the elite class. And this one is no different. The Polonnaruwa Citadel is divided into two parts: Royal Palace and Kumar Pokuna.

According to the information of inspirations, the Royal Palace was a seven-storey building, however, now it is completely in ruins with only some walls left.

Kuma Pokuna, on the other hand, was originally the elite bath.

Read Also: Top Tourist Attractions in Sri Lanka to Visit in October

3. The Sacred Quadrangle

The Sacred Quadrangle is one of the most popular sites in Polonnaruwa and why not when probably it is the only site with its roof preserved and is known for its compactness.

The Sacred Quadrangle has ruins of several beautiful structures that are a must-see.

Vantage is one of those eye-catching structures that was originally built to protect a dagoba located in its center. And a total of four magnificent Buddha statues facing four different entryways.

Other known attractions in the Quadrangle include the Hatadage and Atadage. Make sure to give them a visit as well.

4. Shiva Devale No. 2

Shiva Devale No. 2, is a Hindu temple crafted completely using beautiful stones. This is the most ancient structure in Polonnaruwa. Wondering the most amusing part about it?

Even if it is the oldest, it would be hard to tell the same given its present condition. The sturdy stone and design have helped maintain the old looks of the temples and not get them into ruins.

5. Gal Vihara

The Gal Vihara has huge Buddha images that are amazingly carved into the rocks. And not to mention, these are surely among the top rock cravings of the country. The Buddha Images hold quite a historical value, and all four images showcase his different life phases.

These images are in distinct positions, like one is sitting, the other one is walking, and each one of them is now put under a roof to keep it safe and maintained. The roof also offers protection against extreme weather conditions.

However, don’t forget that today these might be under roofs but once there was a time when they were separately displayed.

6. Lankatlika Vihara

This Polonnaruwa ancient site is also known for its appealing Buddha Statue. King Parakramabahu is credited with the construction of this statue.

What makes this more intriguing is it isn’t even and thus, catches the eye of a lot of artists and art lovers. Also, the ceiling of this display house is quite high which will make you wonder how long it originally could have been.

7. Trivanaka Gallery

Willing to see some more magnificent images of Buddha? Then consider giving a visit to Trivanaka Gallery. It is pretty, artistic, and historic.

The gallery’s name Trivanaka translates to three bends in English. Just like the translation, here you can see Buddha images bending. The mesmerizing paintings of the Trivanaka walls make the area more interesting while giving it a dramatic touch.

8. Pothgul Vihara

Potgul Vehara is quite a historic monument that you can wrap up your visit with. However, you must know that it isn’t located in the main area, but is very close to the same.

The name of the monument hasn’t been mentioned in any ancient literature and thus, archaeologists have their doubts regarding the same. However, according to beliefs, the place was originally a library, that too, a quiet ancient one.

To appreciate the beauty of all of these historic monuments, you should keep at least a day in your hand. Also, locals suggest that the best time to visit the site would be the months of Jan and Feb and then August and September. So wait more, and consider covering these ruins for your next visit to Polonnaruwa.

Additional Reading:

Polonnaruwa: 8 Historical Ruins You Need to See

Polonnaruwa Entrance Fee