Thousands of visitors come to visit the once great kingdom of Polonnaruwa. Stupas, statues, tombs and temples are aplenty, making for an unforgettable experience. But there is more than history and ancient structures here; Polonnaruwa has the richest of stories among Sri Lankan history with hidden treasures strewn across the district and town.

We’ve uncovered 5 lesser known things about this magical old kingdom that might turn your trip into the best discovery ever.

1. No Bull Moonstones

Yes, you did read that right. There’s a strict no-bull policy that went into the sculpture and production of moonstones. Moonstones are the traditional semicircular base at the entrance to state and religious buildings, usually adorned with rows of animal figures. While its neighbouring kingdom Anuradhapura houses moonstones with cattle, the Hindu influence of the Polonnaruwa era shows to have removed the animal representing Lord Shiva’s mount, Nandi the bull from their entrances.

2. Disney Nature’s Monkey Kingdom

The critically acclaimed Monkey Kingdom released in 2015 by Disney Nature was shot entirely in Polonnaruwa. The film, narrated by Tina Fey follows a troupe of Macaques living in the ancient ruins in the Polonnaruwa jungles. The documentary is a breathtaking representation of Polonnaruwa and its world of hidden treasures. The legendary primatologist and Disney Nature Ambassador Dr. Jane Goodall also visited Sri Lanka, joining the crew in the Polonnaruwa jungles. When you visit the ruins, remember to watch out for the monkey whose kingdom this is today.

3. Duran-Duran in Polonnaruwa

The famed 80’s synth-pop band Duran-Duran spent a considerable amount of time in Polonnaruwa which went on to feature heavily in the music video of their 1982 hit Save a Prayer. The video features the band amidst the ruins – something you won’t be able to do now. Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred to Sri Lankans.

4. Sri Lanka’s Lake District

Ancient Sri Lankan architecture isn’t the only element on historical wonder; our ancient engineering techniques are still revered among archaeologists and engineers today. Both elements feature in harmony in Polonnaruwa, so when you visit the ancient sites don’t forget to also visit the breathtaking vistas of the district’s many ancient, manmade lakes.

5. Jananathamangalam

Polonnaruwa was briefly called Jananathamangalam. In 1012 AD, Sri Lanka briefly fell under Chola rule at which point the kingdom absorbed many elements of Dravidian culture.  The Chola empire would refer to Polonnaruwa as either Jananatha Mangalam or Jananatha Puram and called Sri Lanka, Mummudi Sola Mundelam.

The Dunuwille Walawwa has been the home for more than eight generations of Dunuwilles who are proud to call it home. The verandah built in the front part of the Walawwa is dripping with grandeur. Intricate wood carvings of flora and fauna, interior design styles unique to the era and other elements of culture, this verandah bears stories like no other. It reminiscences how the great-grandchildren of William Dunuwille would sit on the floor and listen to stories said by their grandparents about the Kandyan Era and the heroic acts of their ancestry. It fondly remembers how William Dunuwille would visit his family on an elephant, the grandest mode of transportation in that time and how the floors would shake to the sounds of drums and pageants of elephants at times of celebrations. This verandah has been an integral part of the Dunuwille family as it was where they witnessed their lives unravel in good times and bad.

The Dunuwille legacy was carried on by his descendants. The halls of the Walawwa have witnessed many of his great-grandchildren become important members of society such as Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranayake, the first female prime minister in the world. For the Dunuwilles’, the walls will always echo the laughter and the moments shared with the family when they would come together at auspicious times.

Walking amongst the corridors of the Walawwa, it is astonishing to realize that these walls had carried the weight of many family portraits, photographs of their ancestors and many more monuments carefully curated. These photographs are now a family heirloom protected with care, passed down to the generations that precede them.

The Dunuwille Walawwa is not merely a home but proof of the times before us, and every inch of the place carries a story, memory and the legacy of the Dunuwille lineage and the Kandyan kingdom.

After being under the care of the Dunuwille family, the Walawwa is now a part of a family of culture, as rich as its original owners; Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. The Walawwa is what is now called Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, a grand hotel that allows its visitors to indulge in the beautiful city of Kandy and experience the tranquility of the soft winds only the city allows. Located by the banks of the Mahaweli River (the longest river on the island), the resort offers vistas never seen before; lush gardens veiled with mist in the mornings and peaceful nights overlooking the majesty of the city.

For all of those who visit Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, it offers more than a pleasant hotel experience but the warmth of the home it was once before. The hotel is of stark beauty as it continues to protect the legacy of the era and the cultural elements of the Kandyan Kingdom from architecture to interior design, carefully curated to contain the majesty of the Dunuwille Walawwa. The interior of the resort is rich with elegance and grace, with elements of heritage adorning it.

Maybe you will plan your next getaway here, and if you do so, remember this story. Wonder about the stories hidden among the beautiful woodwork and walls and celebrate the legacy of William Dunuwille and the artifacts of a kingdom that once was. Look around for the traces of life within a hotel that was once a home. Make your stay here an iconic one with the majesty that the hotel brings to life and breath in the serenity of the city of Kandy!