A colossal red-brick stupa, once among the tallest structures in the ancient world, at the ruins of the Jetavana monastery.

Overview

The Jetavanaramaya is a vast dome of unrendered red brick set amid the ruins of one of Anuradhapura's greatest monastic complexes. When built it soared over 120 metres, making it one of the tallest ancient structures anywhere and reportedly the third-tallest building in the world at the time, after two Egyptian pyramids. An on-site museum displays finds excavated from the monastery.

History

The stupa was begun by King Mahasena in the late 3rd century CE and completed by his son. Its monastery once housed thousands of monks of the Sagalika sect. Restored in modern times, it is part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred City of Anuradhapura.