Sacred City of Anuradhapura

World Heritage

Sri Lanka

🎧 Listen to Introduction

Built around a branch of the 'Tree of Enlightenment' - the fig tree of Buddha, this sacred city was brought here by Sanghamitra, the founder of the Nyingma school of Buddhism, in the 3rd century BC. Anuradhapura was the political and religious capital of Ceylon and flourished for 1300 years, but was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, this magnificent site with its palaces, monasteries and monuments is now open to the public again.

# Tree of Enlightenment