Parakramabahu’s Palace
The palace of King Parakramabahu-I built in the 12th century, with its spacious court and peripheral guardrooms, covers an area of about 10 acres. Excavations have revealed a vast central courtyard with the main palace building to its west preserved upto a height of two storeys, while further to the west could be found the Audience Hall. The Chulavansa has it that the palace was 7 storeys in height and provided with a thousand chambers supported by hundreds of pillars, though some believe this to be an exaggeration.

Parakrama Samudra
The Parakrama Samudra or ‘Sea of Parakrama’, a gigantic reservoir, was constructed by King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century by combining an earlier reservoir named Topawewa and two other reservoirs. It is an amaizing piece of construction that impresses modern engineers to this day.

Nissanka Malla’s Palace
This palace, said to have belonged to King Nissanka Malla (12th Century), is situated in the Dipuyyana or Island Park, a promontory jutting out into the Topawewa. The audience hall contains pillars with inscriptions indicating the seats allocated to each minister as well as the Lion Throne on which the King sat. Also to be seen are the ruins of the bathing pond of the King which consisted of a large pool, square well with water spill and a circular chamber used as a dressing room.

Alahana Pirivena
A monastic complex said to have been established by King Parakramabahu. It is believed to have extended over an area of eighty hectares. The Lankatilaka image house with its colossal standing Buddha Statue made of brick is found here as well as some recently excavated monks’ cells.

Satmahal Prasada
A 32 feet high stupa of unusual stepped pyramidal form. This structure built in the 12th century is said to resemble the type of stupa found in countries like Cambodia.

Vatadage
Built by Parakramabahu-I, this is a circular relic house which is said to have formerly housed the tooth relic of the Buddha. The building consisted of two concentric terraces including an upper terrace on which was placed a chetiya in which the relic was deposited.

Kirivehera
A stupa believed to have been erected by Parakramabahu-I on behalf of his consort Queen Subadra. The name Kirivehera literally means ‘milk stupa’ and probably took its name from the many layers of shining white lime wash originally painted on the surface of the structure.

Gal Vihara
The Galvihara or ‘Rock Monastery’ said to have been built by Parakramabahu-I contains three large images of the Buddha hewn out of granite. These include the images of the seated Buddha, standing Buddha and recumbent Buddha.

Rankot Vehera
Believed to have been built by Nissanka Malla. Its name Rankot or ‘Golden Point’ is said to have derived from the Suvannatthupika or golden pointed cone with which the Chulavansa says Nissanka Malla adorned the Chetiya.

Pothgul Vehera
The Pothgul Vehera or Library Monastery takes its name from the circular library situated in the monastery complex. To the north of this site is a huge sculptured figure with skull-cap and lower garment holding an ola leaf manuscript carved into the face of the rock outcrop. The figure is believed to be that of King Parakramabahu by some and the sage Pulasti by others.

Medirigiriya
You have to take the turn from Hingurakgoda and proceed about 20 kms to reach Medirigiriya. Recent excavations have revealed many important ruins here. Among them are Buddha statues, rock carvings, medicine baths and Dagobas which are worth seeing.