What the Sigiriya frescoes show
The paintings are female figures on the western rock face. They sit in a gallery reached by spiral stairs on the climb, below the lion paws terrace. The surviving paintings are what you see today.
Who the women are is open. Some read them as celestial beings, others as ladies of the court. Both are interpretations.
Photography is not allowed in the fresco gallery. That means no photos at all, not only no flash. Put your camera and phone away before you enter, and follow the instructions of the staff.
Frescoes, Mirror Wall and paws compared
Three things you pass on the same stretch of the climb.
| Feature | What it is | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Fresco gallery | Painted female figures on the western rock face | No photos; spiral stairs |
| Mirror Wall | Wall with polished lime plaster and old verses and inscriptions | Do not touch it or write on it |
| Lion paws | The brick remains of the giant lion, on the terrace below the last stairs | Stinging insects are a known risk here |
| Summit | Palace foundations and water basins | Steel stairs above the paws |
Sigiriya tours with a guide
Guided visits and day trips to Sigiriya, with live prices and availability.
The Mirror Wall
Not a mirror of glass.
What it was
The wall was once covered in polished lime plaster. Its polished surface gave the wall its name. It is not glass.
The verses
Visitors in earlier centuries wrote verses and inscriptions on the wall. They are part of the heritage, and that is why you must not add anything today. Do not touch the wall or write on it.
Conservation work in 2026
In early July 2026 emergency work began on a later outer layer of plaster at the north end of the wall, which was starting to come away. It concerned the added plaster and not the paintings. Work like this can change what you see on the day.
Visiting the gallery
Practical points.
It is part of the climb
The gallery lies on the route to the top. The full ticket is $35 and the half ticket $20 for children from 6 to 12 (2026). See the page on climbing Sigiriya for time, heat and the stinging insect risk higher up.
Go early or late
The stairs and the heat tire people out. The early morning and the late afternoon are the cooler times. The site is listed as open from 06:30 to 17:30, with ticket counters from 07:00 to 17:00. See opening hours.
No drones or filming without permission
Filming, including with a drone, needs written permission from the heritage authority.
More painted walls
The cave temple at Dambulla has about 2,100 square metres of wall painting inside a living Buddhist shrine. See the Dambulla guide.
Sigiriya and Dambulla painted walls compared
Two places for old painting, with different rules.
| Sigiriya | Dambulla cave temple | |
|---|---|---|
| What is painted | Female figures on the western rock face | About 2,100 square metres of wall painting in five cave shrines with 157 statues |
| Setting | Gallery on the climb, open-air rock | A living Buddhist shrine, listed by UNESCO in 1991 |
| Photography | Not allowed in the fresco gallery | Do not pose in front of Buddha statues; follow the signs and staff |
| Dress | Sun protection and shoes with grip | Cover shoulders and knees; shoes off |
| Effort | About 1,200 steps to the top | Long granite steps to the entrance |
The two sites fit one day. See the Dambulla guide for entry and hours.
A sensible order for your visit
How to see the paintings without rushing.
Before the climb
Keep your camera and phone in your bag before you reach the gallery, so you are not tempted. Photos are not allowed there.
At the gallery
Take your time. Look closely at the figures and the painted surface, and move on when the next group arrives.
At the Mirror Wall
Look at the surface and the old lines of writing. Keep your hands off the wall.
After the summit
If you want more background, the Sigiriya museum is included in the full ticket and is open from 08:00 to 17:00.
Respect for the paintings
Rules that protect what is left.
Keep a distance
Do not touch the paintings or the rock beside them. Hands, bags and straps do damage that cannot be undone.
Follow the staff
Staff in the gallery can ask you to move on or to put away a device. Do as they say. The same goes for their instructions about stinging insects on the upper stairs.
Keep reading
Who built Sigiriya, and how to climb it.
Sigiriya frescoes: frequently asked questions
Can I take photos of the Sigiriya frescoes?
No. Photography is not allowed in the fresco gallery, with or without flash. Keep your camera and phone away in the gallery and follow the staff.
Who are the women in the paintings?
Nobody knows for sure. They are read as celestial beings or as court ladies. Both views are interpretations.
How many figures survive?
Counts of the surviving female figures differ. Do not plan around a number.
Is the Mirror Wall really a mirror?
No. It was a wall of polished lime plaster. The old verses on it were written by earlier visitors.
Are the frescoes worth the climb?
They are one of the main reasons to go up. They lie on the way, so you do not need extra time for a detour, only a stop of a few minutes at the gallery.