Polonnaruwa served as Sri Lanka’s second ancient capital, flourishing between the 11th and 13th centuries as a remarkable centre of artistry, irrigation and Buddhist scholarship. Its remarkably well-preserved ruins include the celebrated Gal Vihara, four colossal Buddha figures carved directly into a single granite face with extraordinary precision and grace. Beyond this iconic site, the city reveals royal palaces, chapter houses, and a network of vast man-made reservoirs, some still functioning today, offering a compelling portrait of one of medieval Asia’s most sophisticated and prosperous civilisations.
