Ratnapura - Sri Lanka's gem city
Ratnapura translates to “gem city”. And that’s exactly what Ratnapura is all about. The valley of Rantapura is Sri Lanka's major gem mining area. Since antiquity, Ratnapura has been world-famous for an extraordinarily large variety of gemstones and for the high quality of sapphires, particularly blue sapphires and Padparadschas, almost all of which in pre-modern times were from the island of Sri Lanka.
To be honest, the townscape of Ratnapura is anything but picturesque. What's attractive for tourists is the surroundings. Ratnapura is situated in a valley between Adam's Peak and Sinharaja Rain Forest. An ancient deignation of the city and the valley were namegiving for the modern Province, of which Ratnapura is the capital: Sabaragumwa. It's the pressure of the mountains on both sides of the Sabaragamuwa Valley that contributed to abundance in gem stones.
The valley of Ratnapura and the foothills of the Adam's Peak massif and the Sinharaja Range are dotted with private-run gem mines, some of it allow visitors to come closer to have a look into the deep shafts.
Gem purchasing, of course, is the main business in Ratnapura downtown. Some shops run so-called museums alongside showrooms. Such gem museums are, of course, a means to invite customers to come to the shop. However, the well-educated staff is advised not to push potential customers but to make them feel comfortable in the museums, that are of some interest concerning mineralogy indeed.
The National Museum of Ratnapura is dedicated to the natural and cultural history of Sabaragagamuwa Province. It's housed in the a beautiful verandah building from the early 19th century that was once the residence of a notable prime minister of the Kandyan kingdom who later on played a crucial role in establishing British rule in Kandy.
As Ratnapura is the city at the foot of Siri Pada, known as Adam's Peak to Muslims and Europeans, it is no surprise that the main temple of the guardian deity of Sri Lanka's most noteworthy mountain and of the entire Sabaragamuwa region is in the Ratnapura area.The large temple compound in the typical Kandyan-style is situated3 km to the northwest of the city centre. The annual Esala Perahera festival is only second in size to that of Kandy.
The surroundings of Ratnapura are crowded with waterfalls. In only 4 km distance to the north, Katugas Ella is the waterfall closest to the town centre. It falls 20 meters into a chasm. In 16 km distance is Bopath Ella near Kuruwita, this beloved weekend destination is easy to reach, as it is not far away from the A4 main road to Colombo.
To be honest, the townscape of Ratnapura is anything but picturesque. What's attractive for tourists is the surroundings. Ratnapura is situated in a valley between Adam's Peak and Sinharaja Rain Forest. An ancient deignation of the city and the valley were namegiving for the modern Province, of which Ratnapura is the capital: Sabaragumwa. It's the pressure of the mountains on both sides of the Sabaragamuwa Valley that contributed to abundance in gem stones.
The valley of Ratnapura and the foothills of the Adam's Peak massif and the Sinharaja Range are dotted with private-run gem mines, some of it allow visitors to come closer to have a look into the deep shafts.
Gem purchasing, of course, is the main business in Ratnapura downtown. Some shops run so-called museums alongside showrooms. Such gem museums are, of course, a means to invite customers to come to the shop. However, the well-educated staff is advised not to push potential customers but to make them feel comfortable in the museums, that are of some interest concerning mineralogy indeed.
The National Museum of Ratnapura is dedicated to the natural and cultural history of Sabaragagamuwa Province. It's housed in the a beautiful verandah building from the early 19th century that was once the residence of a notable prime minister of the Kandyan kingdom who later on played a crucial role in establishing British rule in Kandy.
As Ratnapura is the city at the foot of Siri Pada, known as Adam's Peak to Muslims and Europeans, it is no surprise that the main temple of the guardian deity of Sri Lanka's most noteworthy mountain and of the entire Sabaragamuwa region is in the Ratnapura area.The large temple compound in the typical Kandyan-style is situated3 km to the northwest of the city centre. The annual Esala Perahera festival is only second in size to that of Kandy.
The surroundings of Ratnapura are crowded with waterfalls. In only 4 km distance to the north, Katugas Ella is the waterfall closest to the town centre. It falls 20 meters into a chasm. In 16 km distance is Bopath Ella near Kuruwita, this beloved weekend destination is easy to reach, as it is not far away from the A4 main road to Colombo.
