Situated in Polonnaruwa's UNESCO World Heritage site, the 12th-century Lankathilaka Image House is a colossal brick shrine famous for its towering walls and massive standing Buddha statue.

Why visit Lankathilaka Image House

• Largest Ancient Image House: It is considered the largest Gedige (vaulted) type image house constructed in ancient Sri Lanka, showcasing immense scale.
• Massive Brick Buddha Statue: The image house holds a colossal standing Buddha statue, originally 41 feet high, built entirely of clay bricks.
• Gedige Architectural Style: The structure is built fully from bricks, including the vaulted roof. This is a typical 'Gedige' style reminiscent of Indian cave architecture.
• Unique Balustrade Carving: The entrance balustrade is notable for being the only place in Sri Lanka to feature an image of Nagini, the female serpent deity.
• Immovable Buddha View Design: The stairway's unique design ensures devotees cannot turn their back on the Buddha statue when leaving. This highlights the careful, respectful planning of the ancient architects.