Yapahuwa

Perched on a hill that is difficult to climb, the fortress is a relic from the troubled times of the late 13C. The complex is protected by two concentric walls which are joined at the base of the rock. It was one of the “strongbox” temples built to safeguard the sacred tooth relic in the capital. The fortress is 4m in height and 22m in width and bastions may have existed on the rampart as suggested by the square shaped structures on it. The well planned citadel consists of a rampart and a moat. The stone slabs are put in place on both sides of the rampart. The stone pillars close to the walls inside the building can be seen but no pillars can be found in the middle. Foundations of the buildings generally known as the king’s palace as a square shaped platform. There are two balustrade stones with simple carvings. On the square platform the building identified as the Tooth Relic temple the doorway and beautiful flight of steps can be seen. Sculptures on both sides of the flight of steps have a similarity and contain figures of a dwarf, a female dancer and a graceful figure of a female.