Question 1

What is the Mirror Wall at Sigiriya?

Accepted Answer

The Mirror Wall, known locally as Kedapath Pavura, is a polished lime-plaster parapet built along the western face of Sigiriya Rock by King Kasyapa around the late fifth century AD. It is famous for the hundreds of poetic graffiti inscribed on its surface by visitors between the seventh and eleventh centuries. The inscriptions are among the oldest surviving examples of Sinhala script.

Question 2

Can you touch the Mirror Wall when visiting Sigiriya?

Accepted Answer

No. Touching the Mirror Wall has been prohibited since the 1960s to protect the ancient plaster surface and the inscriptions. Site staff patrol the walkway, and a barrier separates visitors from the wall. Photography without flash is generally permitted.

Question 3

How old are the inscriptions on the Mirror Wall?

Accepted Answer

The wall itself was built around the late fifth century AD, but the graffiti inscriptions were added later, primarily between the seventh and eleventh centuries AD. This means the oldest inscriptions are roughly 1,300 years old, written about 200 years after the wall was originally constructed.

Question 4

What language are the Mirror Wall inscriptions written in?

Accepted Answer

Most inscriptions are written in Old Sinhala. They represent some of the earliest surviving secular poetry in that language and have been invaluable to scholars tracing the evolution of Sinhala script. A small number of inscriptions are in other languages spoken in medieval Sri Lanka.

Question 5

How long is the Mirror Wall and how much of it survives?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 100 metres of the Mirror Wall survives in a condition where the plaster is still visible. Brick debris and chiselled grooves along the western rock face indicate the wall originally extended much further. The surviving section runs alongside the main ascending walkway on the western side of the rock.

Question 6

Did women write on the Mirror Wall?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Several of the inscriptions appear to have been composed and written by women, which scholars consider notable evidence of female literacy in medieval Sri Lanka. The verses written by women tend to address the painted Sigiriya Damsels in the fresco gallery just above the wall, expressing admiration or playful rivalry.

Question 7

Where exactly is the Mirror Wall located during the Sigiriya climb?

Accepted Answer

The Mirror Wall is encountered partway up the main ascent, on the sheltered walkway along the western cliff face of Sigiriya Rock. Visitors pass it after the Lion's Paw terrace and before reaching the summit palace ruins. The Sigiriya Damsels fresco gallery is located on the same section of rock, just above the wall level.

Question 8

Is Sigiriya's Mirror Wall worth visiting separately from the summit?

Accepted Answer

The Mirror Wall is part of the standard Sigiriya entrance ticket and is on the main route to the summit, so it cannot easily be visited in isolation. Most visitors encounter it naturally during the ascent. Those with limited mobility who cannot reach the summit can still see the Mirror Wall, as it lies at an intermediate point on the climb.

Mirror Wall

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Recently Deciphered Records From The Mirror Wall At Sigiriya