World Heritage Sites

THE SACRED CITY OF ANURADHAPURA 5 BC THE MEDIEVAL CAPITAL OF POLONNARUWA 10 AD THE CAVE TEMPLES OF DAMBULLA 1 BC THE SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS 5 AD THE ROYAL CITY OF KANDY 15 AD THE DUTCH FORTIFICATIONS AT GALLE 17 AD THE SINHARAJA FOREST RESERVE     Royal and sacred cities, colonial strongholds, temple caves and virgin forests – with no fewer than seven World Heritage Sites declared and listed by UNESCO, Sri Lanka is one of Asia's richest treasure troves of both natural and man-made wonders. Six of these marvels span some 2,500 years of history – from the sacred city of Anuradhapura and the cave temples of Dambulla, to the magnificent temples and palaces of the royal city of Kandy . The Dutch fortification at Galle has the added distinction of being a living World Heritage Site. But the seventh jewel in Sri Lanka 's heritage crown owes nothing to man and everything to nature: the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot, with its own unique eco-system consisting of protected birds, flora and fauna. The country's former royal capital, Kandy , the archaeological sites at Polonnaruw, Sigiriya – the palace in the sky – form Sri Lanka 's Cultural Triangle – a world of ancient wonders. Spiritually inspiring, year after year, visitors from around the world make their personal pilgrimages to the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.