20160124_Sri Lanka_3733 Polonnaruwa sRGB
Ruins of the Royal Palace at Polonnaruwa. Built by King Parakramabahu I who ruled from 1153 to 1186, the Royal Palace is said to have had seven stories, the top four being made of wood.
Polonnaruwa became the second ancient Sinhalese capital (replacing Anuradhapura) after King Vijayabahu I defeated Tamil Chola invaders from southern India in 1070 to reunite the country. Lavish public works made the city a great Asian capital. Starting in the 13th century, a series of weak rulers and deterioration of the irrigation system led to a decline in Polonnaruwa’s power and appeal. King Vijayabahu III, who reigned from 1232 to 1236, moved the capital of his reduced kingdom to Dambadeniya.
The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
On Google Earth:
Royal Palace 7°56'33.03"N, 81° 0'2.93"E
20160124_Sri Lanka_3733 Polonnaruwa sRGB
Ruins of the Royal Palace at Polonnaruwa. Built by King Parakramabahu I who ruled from 1153 to 1186, the Royal Palace is said to have had seven stories, the top four being made of wood.
Polonnaruwa became the second ancient Sinhalese capital (replacing Anuradhapura) after King Vijayabahu I defeated Tamil Chola invaders from southern India in 1070 to reunite the country. Lavish public works made the city a great Asian capital. Starting in the 13th century, a series of weak rulers and deterioration of the irrigation system led to a decline in Polonnaruwa’s power and appeal. King Vijayabahu III, who reigned from 1232 to 1236, moved the capital of his reduced kingdom to Dambadeniya.
The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
On Google Earth:
Royal Palace 7°56'33.03"N, 81° 0'2.93"E