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Dutch Hospital
This vast, colonnaded colonial landmark dates to the 18th century. Its size was necessary as both the voyage to Ceylon and life in the tropics proved very unhealthy to the Dutch, who died in droves from various diseases and the tropical heat (their preference for seldom-washed wool
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Shiva Devale No 1
Just south of the Quadrangle, the 13th-century Hindu temple Shiva Devale No 1 displays the Indian influence that returned after Polonnaruwa’s Sinhalese florescence. It is notable for the superb quality of its stonework, which fits together with unusual precision. The domed brick ro
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Sri Dalada Museum
The Sri Dalada Museum, which occupies the upper two floors of the Alut Maligawa contains a stunning array of gifts made to the Temple of the Tooth. Letters and diary entries from the British time reveal the colonisers’ surprisingly respectful attitude to the tooth relic. More recen
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Nagadipa Temple
This is the North’s only major Buddhist pilgrimage site. According to legend, the Buddha came to the island to prevent war between a naga king and his nephew over ownership of a gem-studded throne. The solution: give it to the temple instead. The precious chair and original temple
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Commonwealth War Cemetery
For a break from the beach, stroll up to this beautifully kept cemetery. This is the last resting place for hundreds of Commonwealth servicemen who died at Trinco during WWII, most of them during a 1942 Japanese raid that sank over a dozen vessels.Youll be shown around by the amiab
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Assembly Hall
On the same level as the relic house, this hall, also known as the convocation hall, is where monks met to discuss matters of common interest. The most senior monk would have presided over the discussions, and the raised dais in the middle of the hall was apparently where this pers
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Main Gate
The Main Gate in the northern stretch of the wall is a comparatively recent addition – it was built by the British in 1873 to handle the heavier flow of traffic into the old town. This part of the wall, the most intensely fortified because it faced the land, was originally built wi
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Kottawa Conservation Forest
This is a 14-hectare wet evergreen forest about 15km northeast of Galle. There are walking tracks in the forest, but first get permission from the forest department office near the gate. Wear good walking shoes and trousers: the leeches are ferocious. Trees are identified with thei
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Baobab Tree
An offbeat attraction, this ancient baobab tree was allegedly planted by Arab traders. It has a circumference of 19.5m and is believed to be over 700 years old. In Africa the baobab is sometimes called the upside-down tree (because its branches look like roots); locals in Mannar re
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Seenigama Vihara
About 2km north of Hikkaduwa is the Seenigama Vihara, perched on its own island. It’s one of only two temples in the country where victims of theft can seek retribution. People who have been robbed visit the temple and buy a specially prepared oil made with chilli and pepper. With
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Lotus Tower
Casting a shadow over Slave Island, the 350m Lotus Tower is set to open sometime in 2016. With a bulbous top meant to resemble the namesake blossom, this soaring erection (24m taller than the Eiffel Tower) will have telecommunications equipment and an array of tourist attractions i
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Religious Buildings
Negombo is dotted with churches – so many locals converted to Catholicism that the town is sometimes known as ‘Little Rome’. The fading pink chamber of St Mary’s Church , in the town centre, has some thunderous ceiling paintings covering the nave. East of town the Angurukaramulla T
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Central Point
Chatham St is seeing a lot of renovation of old buildings, one of the grandest being the old colonnaded 1914 Central Bank building called Central Point. The beautifully restored interior is a riot of Greco-Roman detailing and features the tallest chandelier in Asia. Theres also a m
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Hikkaduwa National Park
Hikkaduwa’s marine park stretches along the northern end of the beach and is a fun and easy way to get a glimpse of some of Sri Lankas undersea life. Snorkelling gear can be rented from places around the park ticket office for around Rs 300 to Rs 500 a day. Glass-bottomed boat ride
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Gal Pota
The Gal Pota (Stone Book) is a colossal stone representation of an ola book. It is nearly 9m long by 1.5m wide, and 40cm to 66cm thick. The inscription on it – the longest such stone inscription in Sri Lanka (and there are many!) – indicates that it was a Nissanka Malla publication
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Cobra Hood Cave
This rocky projection earned its name because the overhang resembles a fully opened cobra’s hood. Generally you pass by this cave after descending the rock on your way to the south gate and the car park. Below the drip ledge is an inscription from the 2nd century BC that indicates
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Rankot Vihara
The 54m Rankot Vihara dagoba, the largest in Polonnaruwa and the fourth largest on the island, has been ascribed to the reign of King Nissanka Malla. Like the other major dagobas in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the dome consists of earth fill covered by a brick mantle and plaster.
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Thuparama Gedige
At the southern end of the Quadrangle, the Thuparama Gedige is the smallest gedige (hollow Buddhist temple with thick walls) in Polonnaruwa, but is also one of the best: its the only one with its roof intact, supported by corbel arch-style supports. The inner chamber is delightfull
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Seetha Amman Temple
On the way to the Hakgala Gardens, near the 83km post, is the colourful Hindu Seetha Amman Temple at Sita Eliya. It’s said to mark the spot where Sita was held captive by the demon king Rawana, and where she prayed daily for Rama to come and rescue her. On the rock face across the
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Rakkhiththakanda Len Viharaya Cave Temple
The outside of this remote and little visited cave temple, which is signed off the road to Wellawaya, is covered in faded Kandyan-era paintings including one of the British Royal coat of arms. Inside, the paintings are in far better condition and completely cover all the walls. The
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