Tissa Wewa
තිසා වැව
An ancient reservoir built in the 3rd century BCE. Its embankment is a great place to watch the sunset and see the stupas reflected in the water.
Tissa Wewa was built by King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BCE. It still supplies water to the city and its farmland, and it reflects the sophisticated water storage and irrigation civilization of the ancient Sinhalese. Walking or cycling along the embankment in the evening, you can see the silhouettes of distant stupas reflected in the lake. Flocks of fruit bats roost in the large trees by the shore and fly off in a swarm at sunset. There are several hotels and restaurants by the lake. Two larger lakes, Nuwara Wewa and Basawakkulama Wewa, lie to the west of the ancient city. Entry is free, and it is a good place to watch the sunset after touring the ancient city.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Archaeological Museum Anuradhapura
- Ranmasu Uyana (Royal Pleasure Gardens)
- Isurumuniya
- Vessagiri
- Mirisawetiya Stupa
- Sandahiru Seya
- Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
- Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace)