Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace)
ලෝවාමහාපාය
The ruins of a nine-story monastic assembly hall from the 2nd century BCE. A forest of about 1,600 stone pillars stands between the Sri Maha Bodhi and the Ruwanwelisaya.
The Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace) was built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BCE. According to the Mahavamsa chronicle, it was originally a nine-story uposatha hall with a copper-tiled roof, able to hold more than a thousand monks. It was burned and rebuilt several times. Today, only a forest of granite pillars remains, arranged in a 40 by 40 grid of about 1,600 stones. The scale is impressive. In the center stands a small hall built in recent years, which is generally not open to visitors. It lies along the path between the Sri Maha Bodhi and the Ruwanwelisaya and is usually visited on the way, taking 10 to 15 minutes. It is included in the ancient city ticket. Shoes must be removed and knee-covering clothing worn to enter the sacred area.
Opening hours
Open all day (view from outside)
Nearby sights
- Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
- Ruwanwelisaya
- Jetavanaramaya
- Sandahiru Seya
- Thuparamaya
- Mirisawetiya Stupa
- Ranmasu Uyana (Royal Pleasure Gardens)
- Isurumuniya