The ancient city of Sigiriva is famous for its 200 metre high red stone fortress and palace ruins which are surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures, recognized as World Heritage Site. It contains the ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477AD – 495 AD). The site consists of a magnificent 180m tall granite rock, which has steep sides and a palace complex on top. The site is also known as Lions Rock. At the level below the top, there is a giant pair of lion’s paws which are actually the ruin of a huge head of a lion opening mouth as the entrance to the royal palace. Halfway to Sigiriya-rock, there are amazing ancient mural paintings, which are visible evidence for the heydays of Sri Lankan in the past.