Once the favourite country retreat of the royalty of Anuradhapura,
Polonnaruwa was a key settlement even before the medieval period, largely
due to its strategic location near the river crossings of the Mahaweli river.
It was King Vijayabahu I who first established Polonnaruwa as the capital
of his kingdom in 1055. The peaceful reign of this farsighted king was
followed by four bloody decades of strife between his heirs. Yet the
accession of the great ruler Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) heralded a
glorious new era in which the architectural traditions of the country
reached a dazzling zenith. Among the public works commissioned by
him are the Alahana Pirivena, the Jetavana Vihara, the Lankathilaka
and the Galvihare.

The visitor who traverses the city from the south to the north will find the
following monuments of particular interest :

1. Potgul Vehera monastery
Located outside the Royal Garden, this monastery is also known as the
‘Library Monastery’ because it is believed that the circular building in the
center of the site was used to house sacred books. Also of interest is the
sculptured figure carved into the face of the rock at the northern end of the
site. This figure has been popularly interpreted as King Parakramabahu I.

2. The citadel and palace complex
The palace complex of King Parakramabahu is a fascinatingly rich site, with
its assembly hall, stone bathing pool and royal gardens. The chronicles
describe a palace consisting of seven storeys and richly decorated windows,
but unfortunately the wooden superstructure of the upper floors have long
since decayed. Only the fragments of a stone staircase remain to indicate
the grandeur of the abode of one of Sri Lanka’s greatest monarchs. The
audience hall of the king, flanked by two stone lion figures and decorated
with beautiful relief sculptures, is situated a little to the west.

3. The Vatadage
This circular shrine is famed for its exceptional sculptures and relief
decorations. A porch gives way to a raised circular terrace, from which
ascend four flights of steps flanked by moonstones, leading to four entrance
doors (now in ruins). Inside, four tranquil Buddha statues guard the shrine
room and dagaba   

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