Yapahuwa Rock Fortress
Yapahuwa Fortress, A Forgotten Kingdom of Sri Lanka. Yapahuwa Fortress, a military fort and royal palace of one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals, operated during the late 13th century. Built by King Bhuvanekabahu I as defense against South Indian invasions, it also fleetingly served as refuge for Buddha’s Sacred Tooth Relic, and therefore remains a significant religious and cultural landmark.
Why Visit Yapahuwa Rock Fortress?
The fortress itself, which occupies a position 90 meters above the plains around it, is a specimen of exceptional architecture with a symbol stone staircase bearing delicately carved works of art characteristic of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Remains of palaces, Buddhist monasteries, and defense structures further highlight its triumphant past. The site had once housed the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Sinhalese and South Indian architectural styles, and still serves religious significance as a center for local pilgrimages.
Visitors can go to Yapahuwa throughout the year, but it is best visited during the dry season for ease of climbing. The main highlights are the ruins of the fortress, the finely carved stairway, and old cave temples, and other close by historical points of interest provide the added excitement. Yapahuwa is a showpiece of Sri Lanka’s history, as it gives individuals an experience of its former kingship and architectural mastery, and thus is one place that each culture and history enthusiast would never miss.