The Sigiriya Damsels
The Sigiriya Frescoes (alternately known as the Sigiriya Ladies or Sigiriya Damsels) are a set of ancient frescoes located in a small cave about 100 meters up the towering Sigiriya rock. They're considered one of the top attractions of Sigiriya itself and are the most important (and in fact only) non-religious paintings which have survived from antiquity in Sri Lanka.
Apparently, the ostentatious King Kaspaya decided on Sigiriya as his palace in the 1st century BC and, as a testament to his grandeur, actually white-washed the entire rock and added a 40-meter wide band of paintings decorating the entire western side of the Rock. After more than a millennium exposed to the elements, the nineteen Sigiriya Frescoes are all that we have left of this once magnificent palatial complex.
The identity of the women is still unknown, but most scholars agree that they are either representations of women from King Kaspaya's apparently bountiful harem, or are depictions of celestial beings known as "apsaras." They're unique in Sri Lanka and are reminiscent of frescoes in the older Ajanta Caves in India. Given India's proximity and historical influence, there was probably some artistic cross-pollination.
The cave is located about half way up Sigiriya rock and you need to climb a panic-inducing spiral staircase bolted to the face of the rock (the structural integrity of the stairs inevitable passes through your mind, especially when you're sandwiched about half way up it with dozens of other tourists!). Once inside the cave, you finally find the frescoes: beautiful, sensual, created with graceful curving lines and warm colors. The stylized poses, idealized breasts, and unique facial expressions show off an artistic delicacy rarely found in the ancient world and which still manages to capture your attention even after 1,600 years.
In short: they're beautiful. If you're planning a visit to Sigiriya, you can't miss them for the world. Try to get to the site right when it opens so you can get up to the fresco cave before the tour bus crowds arrive.
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