This sacred city was established around a cutting from the ‘tree of enlightenment’, the Buddha’s fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again.
Criteria for inclusion as a World Heritage Site
| # | ||
|---|---|---|
| ii | To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design. | All |
| iii | To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. | All |
| vi | To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria). | All |
Nearby
Sites
| Name | Since | Distance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Main Line | 2020 | 159.7km | site_ao | ||
| Dambulla Royal Cave Temple | 2020 | 60.8km | site_ao | ||
| Kantharodai | 2018 | 162.5km | site_ao | ||
| Kayman’s Gate Bell Tower | 2018 | 165.7km | site_ao | ||
| The Sacred Bodhi Tree | 2018 | 2km | site_ao | ||
Shark Point Reef  | 2016 | 99.9km | site_ao | ||
| Mackwoods Tea Plantation Sign | 2017 | 150.2km | site_ao | ||
| Koneswaram Temple | 2016 | 98.8km | site_ao | ||
| Old Kachcheri | 2018 | 152.6km | site_ao | ||
| Central Highlands of Sri Lanka | 2010 | 108.3km | site_whs | ||
| Sacred City of Kandy | 1988 | 119km | site_whs | ||
| Golden Temple of Dambulla | 1991 | 60.5km | site_whs | ||
| Ancient City of Sigiriya | 1982 | 58.7km | site_whs | ||
| Ancient City of Polonnaruwa | 1982 | 82.3km | site_whs | ||
| The Lion Fortress Of Sri Lanka Was Swallowed By The Jungle | 2019 | 58.8km | post |
About the source: UNESCO
Within UNESCO's broad remit, this specialised agency of the UN works towards international cooperation agreements to secure the world's cultural and natural heritage, designating venues of exceptional value as World Heritage Sites.