Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is the second most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka and one of the country’s most important historical sites. The city was first established as the capital by Vijayabahu I in 1070 CE after he successfully defeated the invading Chola Empire. His victory helped reunite the island under local rule after a long period of foreign control. After becoming the capital, Polonnaruwa developed into a major political, cultural, and religious center. Many kings contributed to the construction of temples, palaces, reservoirs, and monuments, which show the advanced engineering and architectural skills of ancient Sri Lankan civilization. Today, the city is famous for its well-preserved ruins and remains one of the most significant historical and archaeological destinations in Sri Lanka.