Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, stands as a site of historical and archaeological significance. Dominated by a massive granite column approximately 180 m high, it housed the palace of King Kashyapa on top, adorned with colorful frescoes on its sides. Further enhancing its grandeur, the king built a gateway halfway up the rock in the form of an enormous lion, aptly giving Sigiriya its name: Siṃhagiri, the Lion Rock. Abandoned after the king’s death, the capital transformed into a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya offers one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning.