Overview

Anuradhapura is a sacred city, venerated as the capital of Buddhism and also where great battles took place in the history. At its heart is the sacred Bo tree, reputed to be the oldest living tree in documented history, having been brought as a sapling to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. In the vicinity of the shrines surrounding the tree are the remains of the Brazen Palace, the towering Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, the seated Buddha, temples, palaces and parks. They may have lost their vibrance and become historical monuments, but nevertheless they it was founded a century earlier) was known as far away as the Mediterranean. Three centuries later a trade delegation from the capital presented its credentials to bear testimony to a proud past. By the middle of the 3rd century BC, the fame of Anuradhapura as the capital Claudius Caesar in Rome and met Pliny the Elder. Within another three centuries, a connection was established eastwards with China. According to the Mahavamsa (the Sinhala Buddhist chronicle), Anuradhapura was a model of city planning, although hierarchical. Precincts were set aside for huntsmen and scavengers, and even for heretics and foreigners, so those belonging to the establishment were not disturbed. There were cemeteries for high and low castes, and also hospitals. Reservoirs were constructed to assure a regular water supply. The city remained the capital until the 10th century, when its position was weakened by internecine struggles for the royal succession. The final blow came in when the Chola king, Rajaraja I, conquered the island, burning and looting capital.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

• Visit Sacred Bo tree
• Visit Ruwanweliseya Stupa
• Mihintale temple
• Jetawana Stupa
• Aukana Buddha statue