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post:
YapahuwaYapahuwa was the fortress capital of the Sinhala King in the 14th century. Althrough it is only roughly half the height of Sigiriya, this rock rising 100m from the surrounding plain is quite impressive. The granite outcropping of Yapahuwa, also known as the Fire Rock was used as a defensible refuge against the aggressive South Indian armies. After Vijayabahu IV killed (1270-1272 AD) King Bhuvanekabahu I, (1272-1284 AD) used the rock as his capital and kept Sri Lanka’s sacred Buddha tooth relic in Yapahuwa. King Arya Chakrawarthi, a Pandyan from India capured Yapahuwa and took the Tooth relic to South India. But was recovered by King Parakramabahu III (1287-1293 AD) after a negotiation in the year of 1288. Yapahuwa’s steep ornamental staircase, which led up to the ledge holding the tooth temple, is one of its finest features. The archaeological features here include the fortifications comprising an inner and outer moat and walls, a mud moat- the only one recorded in Sri Lanka, remains of the Tooth Relic Temple, a cave temple with paintings and a beautiful staircase with carvings. The view from top of the staircase is wonderful. 
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