Sigiriya also known as the Lion Rock is a rock fortress and a palace located in the Matale district of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya served as a place of religious retreat as far back as the third century BC, when Buddhist monks established refuge in the locale. This ruin is surrounded by gardens, ponds and other structures. Sigiriya was built by King Kassapa. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya is a place that a person must visit at least once in their lifetime. It is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka.