Tissa Wewa

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With a history going back to the 3rd century BC Tissa Wewa is among the three oldest reservoirs in Sri Lanka. Easily accessible from Isurumuniya or the Royal Pleasure Gardens the gravel roads running on the walls of the tanks is a perfect place to ride foot bicycles and take amazing photographs of the Ruvanveliseya and Mirisavetiya.

The man made tank is spreaded over 160 hectares of land. Folklore suggests that the 3.2 kilometer embankment was built with rocks and compacted by tamed elephants who had their feet covered with leather protectors.

It represents the amazing engineering skills of the ancient Sinhalese people. Note that bathing is not allowed in the tank, and try to visit in the evening when it is not hot.