What type of rock is Sigiriya rock made of?

Sigiriya rock is made of igneous rock, specifically a massive, hardened granite outcrop. While geological materials are broadly categorised as sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic, geologists classify the Sigiriya rock strictly as an igneous formation.

Scientifically referred to as an inselberg, this iconic Sri Lankan landmark is the solidified magma plug of a long-extinct volcano. Because granitic igneous rock is exceptionally dense and durable, it survived millions of years of severe environmental erosion that completely washed away the softer outer volcanic cone.

Today, this solid granite monolith rises 200 metres above the surrounding plain, providing the stable bedrock that allowed King Kasyapa to construct the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress.