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CulturalRef. 200

Anuradhapura

Cultural World Heritage property in Sri Lanka, inscribed in 1982 under criteria (ii), (iii), (vi).

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Photo: A.Savin · FAL · Wikimedia Commons
Ajanta CavesAnuradhapuraArchaeological Heritage of the Lenggong ValleyAyutthaya Historical ParkBaganCentral Highlands of Sri LankaChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj TerminusChurches and Convents of GoaCultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’erDambulla cave templeDong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest ComplexElephanta CavesEllora CavesForest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park SelangorGreat Living Chola TemplesGroup of monuments at MahabalipuramHampiHistoric Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic TownsKaeng Krachan Forest ComplexKandyKonark Sun TempleLuang PrabangMaratha Military Landscapes of IndiaOld Town of Galle and its FortificationsOmbilin coal minePattadakal Group of MonumentsPhu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati periodPolonnaruwaRamappa TempleSacred Ensembles of the HoysalasSi Thep historical parkSigiriyaSinharaja Forest ReserveSundarbans National ParkSundarbans Reserved ForestThungyai Naresuan Wildlife SanctuaryTropical Rainforest Heritage of SumatraVictorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of MumbaiWat Phra MahathatWestern Ghats8.335° N, 80.411° E
State Party
Sri Lanka
Year of inscription
1982
Criteria
iiiiivi
Area of property
7,179 km²
Location
Anuradhapura District
What it is
sacred place, city
Elevation
81 m
Reference
WHC 200 · Wikidata Q5724

Why it is on the List

(ii)Shows a major exchange of ideas — in architecture, technology, art, town planning or landscape design — over time or across a cultural area.(iii)A unique or exceptional witness to a cultural tradition or a civilisation, living or vanished.(vi)Directly linked to events, living traditions, ideas, beliefs or artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
nearby

Closest World Heritage sites

Straight-line distance between the recorded coordinates.

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka57 kmSigiriyaSri Lanka · 1982CulturalDambulla cave temple, Sri Lanka59 kmDambulla cave templeSri Lanka · 1991CulturalPolonnaruwa, Sri Lanka79 kmPolonnaruwaSri Lanka · 1982CulturalCentral Highlands of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka107 kmCentral Highlands of Sri LankaSri Lanka · 2010NaturalKandy, Sri Lanka118 kmKandySri Lanka · 1988CulturalSinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka233 kmSinharaja Forest ReserveSri Lanka · 1988Natural
Sri Lanka

More sites in Sri Lanka

All 8
1982

Also inscribed in 1982

All of 1982

Data: Wikidata (CC0) · danger list as published in 2026 · independent atlas, not affiliated with UNESCO or Petit Futé.