Sri Lanka - Polonnaruwa

We have had another big day today - so big that I am making it into two posts. This morning we visited Polonnaruwa, the mediaeval capital of Sri Lanka, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This second capital city was built in the 11th & 12th centuries. 
Most of us have visited archaelogical ruins and known about earlier civilizations but Sri Lanka had, until now, escaped our knowledge. We were overwhelmed by the scope of the ruins at Polonnaruwa. 

The Royal Palace once was a seven storey building with 1000 rooms. It is a red brick ruin but initially the building had a thick coating of plaster over it.

The area includes temples, a hospital, civic buildings, vast irrigation reservoirs,  statuary and many important examples of ancient architecture.

I would love to write about all these photos but I don't have the knowledge or the time. Polonnaruwa is one special place.