Construction of Sigiriya Museum

Overview

Sigiriya Museum is an archaeological site museum, visitor information centre, and research facility in one. Managed by the Central Cultural Fund (CCF), the Museum showcases the results of decades of archaeological research at this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the larger Sigiriya - Dambulla area.

In addition to its exhibits which give the visitor a concise understanding of the history of Sigiriya from prehistory to the present, the Museum houses a tourist information centre, bookcase, outdoor theatre, and a cafe ( under construction). The cool interior is fu; of space to rest and relax before or after climb.

The Architecture

The Museum building is an ambitious modern expression of ancient building concepts. The ancient builders of the gardens in Sigiriya found beauty in symmetry and geometry, laying out garden elements in a grid pattern, controlling the flow of water. Yet they also embraced organic beauty and asymmetry, moulding their buildings onto boulders, although they clearly had sufficient engineering knowledge to remove them. Buildings were probably open and airy, with little distinction of outdoors vs. indoors. The beauty of symmetry is visible everywhere in the Museum building, which, like the buildings of old, folds around trees and streams while using the best technology and materials of its time. Enjoy this modern version of inter-locking nature and structure. The corbelled arch, found in the Water Gardens, is symbolically used as a gateway to the exhibit area.   

The Permanent Exhibit

Exhibition Gallery 1 (Archaeology and History) is a whirlwind tour through time, from the geological past to the present.

'Artifacts as Text - this exhibit lets the objects themselves tell the story, photos, drawings, replicas, short film, and audio recordings assist in the story-telling and draws the visitor into history.

Exhibition Gallery 2 (Frescos Gallery) features an exact copy of the Fresco Pocket, reached by a spiral staircase exactly like the one found on site. Created by Japanese model-makers and a group of Sri Lankan artists, this exhibit makes it possible to visit for as long as you like with those celestial nymphs, the apsaras.

History of the Museum

A unique museum worthy of a unique site - this Museum is the brainchild of Sigiriya researchers, who kept the dream alive for two decades. Dream became reality through assistance from the Japanese Government. The permanent exhibits in particular are the result of close collaboration between Sri Lankan and Japanese specialists. The Museum is manages by the Central cultural Find (CCF), a semi government organization which is the custodian organization for World Heritage sites under Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage. 

Events and Activities

Coming Soon !

Visiting Hours