POLONNARUWA

Polonnaruwa served as the second capital of Sri Lanka after the royal seat of power was moved out of Anuradhapura. Its most notable attraction is the Parakrama Samudra, the world’s largest man-made reservoir named after King Parakramabahu, who commissioned its construction. Polonnaruwa houses many flourishing parks and gardens dotted with monuments and shrines, and the design reflects a combination of ancient Sinhalese and South Indian influence. Having been an ancient hub of culture, Polonnaruwa is home to the royal pavilion, king’s council chambers and the Kiri Vehera, an ancient temple. There are many monuments depicting the art style of the period, and the Gal Vihara holds great statues of the Buddha carved into granite.