Polonnaruwa Vatadage
Polonnaruwa Vatadage
4.5
About
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Plan your visit

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles376 reviews
Excellent
241
Very good
120
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
2

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

Brunella B
Bologna, Italy703 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
Polonnaruwa became the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom after Anuradhapura, and remained so for three centuries.
The archaeological area is very vast, it includes ruins of the Royal Palace, the quadrilateral area (Vatadage) with many brick temples covered in moss.
Finally Lankatilaka Temples (high walls without roofs) and Gal Vitara, with more rock sculptures of sitting, standing and reclining Buddha. Spectacular!!
Google
Written 22 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

prashant v
New Delhi, India15 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
Some amazing craftsmanship and architecture. Come on a weekday if you wanna enjoy the palace in a crowed free environment. Can take photos.
Make sure you wear something that covers you fully that goes below your knees. A wrap would do if you can't bare the heat.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

phait_lee
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia598 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Nice ancient city with Buddhist statues

One of the sites within the Polonnaruwa Archaelogical Site. Located outside the main building, this is where each of the 3 great kings built these Buddhist temples.

To take a closer look, one has to remove shoes and hats.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dashers2014
Cambridge, UK654 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Friends
Still standing after nearly a thousand years or more. The moonstones speaks volumes on their own! The statues are incredible. Of course they could have been maintained better but glad there is still some remains left of the ancient Polonaruwa Dynasty. Evidence that it must have been a very rich monarchy all those centuries ago ! Definitely worth a visit if in the region.
Written 21 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

K.A.S. Menaka Meththananda
Hingurakgoda, Sri Lanka12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019
Built by Parakramabahu-I, this is a circular relic house which is said to have formerly housed the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. The building consisted of two concentric terraces including an upper terrace on which was placed a chetiya in which the Sacred Tooth Relic was placed.
Written 4 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

708Robin
West Sussex, UK1,479 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Couples
The ruins of Polonnaruwa are spread over several different sites, entry was 9600 rupees which covered all the sites. Do not pay what you are asked for souvenirs here, we were offered a buddha for $6 that came down to $1 when we showed no interest. The ruins as they are ruins vary greatly so some will be more interesting than others. We did find other places that we visited more interesting because of this.
Written 4 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cristina2014CI
Bucharest, Romania348 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Couples
This place is very well preserved. Is is a must see in Polonnaruwa. I think a guide is needed, so that you will get the information about the places were you are.
Written 19 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

worldnomad_01
Los Angeles, CA1,597 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018
A vatadage is a type of Buddhist structure, typical for Sri Lanka and usually build around a small stupa. Considered to be the best preserved and the most elaborate example of a vatadage in the country, Polonnaruwa Vatadage has two stone platforms decorated with elaborate stone carvings. The circular lower platform is entered through a single entrance on the northern side and is endowed with a nicely carved moonstone. Four elaborately constructed doorways facing the four cardinal points lead to the upper platform which contains the stupa and is surrounded by a brick wall on its edge. Four Buddha statues are seated around it, each facing one of the entrances. It is one of the best preserved and most beautiful ruins you're going to see in the country and is not to be missed..
Written 13 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

stepha107
Sartrouville58 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Family
It's one of the most beautiful archeological sites I've seen around the world. So big that you can't do it by foot, bycycles recommended :) (I'd say 10 times bigger than Pompéï in Italy).
Really great place.
Written 7 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Flauschi_11
Brussels, Belgium52 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018
I visited the sacred city in April with a Dutch group and was impressed by the size of the complex, which consists of three parts: Dalada Maluwa, Dalada Malawu and the royal citadel and castle - all very impressive.
Written 23 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 180
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Polonnaruwa Vatadage - Tripadvisor

All Polonnaruwa HotelsPolonnaruwa Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Polonnaruwa
All things to do in Polonnaruwa
Spas & Wellness in PolonnaruwaDay Trips in Polonnaruwa
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday homesTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire