Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas from india, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.
Polonnaruwa Old Town is where the well preserved ruins of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, The ruins are clustered over an extensive area which runs s about 3km from north to the south. Among the multitude of ruins, Citadel, Quadrangle, Gal Vihara ( stone temple) and Lanktilaka, The Menik and Rankoth vihara Buddhist shrines, monasteries, Lankatilaka temple (Ornament of Lanka), Kiri Vehera stupa, Tivanka-patamaghara image house Buddhist shrine, are must visit attractions.
To the west of the ancient city is inland-sea like Parakrama Samudra (Sinhala: sea of Parkramabahu) man-made lake built in the 13th century and rehabilitated in 1950s. The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site.
