Anuradhapura
- Anuradhapura is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and was the first capital of ancient Sri Lanka.
- Founded in the 4th century BCE, it became a powerful center of politics, culture, and Buddhist civilization for over 1,300 years.
- The city is famous for its sacred Bodhi Tree, grown from a cutting of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
- Anuradhapura is home to massive dagobas (stupas), some of the largest brick structures ever built in the ancient world.
- Advanced irrigation systems, including vast reservoirs and canals, allowed the city to flourish in a dry zone climate.
- The ruins reflect remarkable achievements in ancient engineering, urban planning, and religious architecture.
- Anuradhapura was a major hub for Buddhist learning, attracting monks and scholars from across Asia.
- The city was abandoned in the 11th century after repeated invasions, but its spiritual importance never faded.
- Today, Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in Sri Lanka.
