View of the Pleasure Gardens from the Summit of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, 20th century. Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress of historic and archaeological significance, located in the central Matale District in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (477-495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes.