SRI LANKA ~ -Sigiriya Rock - UNESCO ~

... Great aerial view of the Pidurangala and Sigiriya Rock (Lion Rock) surrounded by dense forest... Pidurangala Rock is located just over a kilometre away from Sigiriya and the summit is just slightly lower than that of Lion Rock... this makes it the perfect platform to get the best views of Sigiriya as the sun rises... Sigiriya Rock rises 180 meters above the surrounding area... and is so steep that its top overhangs the sides... visitors can climb the 1,200 steps, divided amongst a number of staircases... this ancient palace and fortress complex has significant archaeological importance and is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka... with nice matching UNESCO Sigiriya Rock stamp👍... Thanks a lot Ravindra!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

The citadel on top of the 5th-century Sigiriya Lion Rock/Sigiriya Fortress was built by King Kasyapa. It includes water gardens, a moat, terraced gardens and archaeological features. The advanced and impressive hydraulic system consisting of canals, lakes, dams, bridges, fountains and underground water pumps still provides water to the Sigiriya Rock gardens today. 

The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano. There was once a lion's face hewn into the rock as well, but it's been eroded by the elements. This is how Sigiriya - which translates as 'lion rock' - got its name.

It wasn’t until 1831 that the abandoned Sigiriya Rock was discovered by a British Army Major. He came across the site whilst horseback riding through Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya Rock was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
 

Stamps:

Gems of Sri Lanka 

(Issued 06-11-2021)

UNESCO World Heritage - Siriya 

(Issued 15-06-2023)

Pigeon Island Marine National Park

(Issued 22-08-2014)