Table of Contents
Sri Lanka UNESCO has registered 8 sites on the World Heritage list and 3 on the tentative list.
Some places are so interesting that it’s relevant to keep them for future generations. This is why UNESCO has built a list of crucial classified properties in which superb places stand out for their aesthetic, natural, artistic, or cultural significance.
More than a thousand places are registered as Unesco’s World Heritage worldwide. Due to my interest in visiting World Heritage sites, I compiled the UNESCO list in Sri Lanka and the corresponding map.
Sri Lanka UNESCO list
- Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
- Ancient City of Sigiriya
- Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
- Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple
- Sacred City of Anuradhapura
- Sacred City of Kandy
- Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
- Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sri Lanka UNESCO Map
Click on the blue pins to view more relevant information about each World Heritage site in Sri Lanka.
Description
- Ancient City of Polonnaruwa: Polonnaruwa is an ancient city in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was the capital of the country from the 11th to the 13th century and is known for its well-preserved ruins of palaces, temples, and other structures.
- Ancient City of Sigiriya: Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa and is known for its impressive frescoes, gardens, and water features.
- Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications: Galle is a historic city on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. It was an important trading port during the colonial era and is known for its well-preserved fortifications, colonial-era buildings, and traditional Sri Lankan architecture.
- Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple: Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is a complex of Buddhist cave temples in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. It is known for its impressive rock paintings and statues of the Buddha.
- Sacred City of Anuradhapura: Anuradhapura is an ancient city in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was the country’s capital from the 4th century BCE to the 11th century CE and is known for its well-preserved ruins of palaces, temples, and other structures.
- Sacred City of Kandy: Kandy is a historical city in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the country before it fell under British colonial rule and is known for its well-preserved traditional architecture, gardens, and temples, including the Temple of the Tooth.
- Central Highlands of Sri Lanka: The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka is a mountainous region in the country’s center known for its biodiversity, including several endemic species of plants and animals. It is also home to several important cultural and religious sites, including the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage.
- Sinharaja Forest Reserve: Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a protected area in southwestern Sri Lanka. It is known for its rich biodiversity, including many endemic species of birds, amphibians, and reptiles. It is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka have protected places for their cultural and natural importance.
Sites on the Tentative List
- Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara
- Seruwila to Sri Pada (Sacred Foot Print Shrine), an Ancient pilgrim route along the Mahaweli River in Sri Lanka
- Ancient Ariyakara Viharaya in the Rajagala Archaeological Reserve
