Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, is an ancient rock fortress located in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. King Kashyapa (477–495 AD) selected this site for his new capital, building his palace on top of a 200-meter-high granite peak. The entrance to the mid-level terrace was once a massive gate shaped like a colossal lion, of which only the giant paws remain today. Sigiriya is famous for its frescoes—vibrant paintings of semi-nude females—and its 'Mirror Wall,' which was polished so highly that the King could see his reflection. It also features some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world, including sophisticated hydraulic systems of reservoirs and fountains that still function during the rainy season. After the King's death, the site was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.