Yapahuwa is one of Sri Lanka’s lesser-visited but deeply impressive ancient sites, a fortified rock citadel that briefly served as the island’s capital in the 13th century and housed the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist treasure. The site’s most striking feature is the ornately carved granite staircase that leads to the upper palace, a masterpiece of medieval Sri Lankan stonework that rivals anything found at the island’s more famous ancient cities.