World Heritage Identification Number: 200
World Heritage since: 1982
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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The Sacred City of Anuradhapura: A Historical and Cultural Gem of Sri Lanka
The Sacred City of Anuradhapura, nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka's north central plains, stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural significance of this island nation. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, this ancient metropolis boasts a remarkable legacy that spans over a millennium.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
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.
Encyclopedia Record: Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is a major city located in the north central plain of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province and the capital of Anuradhapura District. The city lies 205 kilometers (127 mi) north of the current capital of Colombo in the North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malwathu Oya. The city is now a World Heritage Site famous for its well-preserved ruins of the ancient Sinhalese civilisation.Additional Site Details
Area: Not available
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
(vi) — Directly associated with events or living traditions
Coordinates: 8.333333333 , 80.38333333
