Yapahuwa was the capital of the island from 1277 to 1284 and was a more defendable location from the invading South Indians as it was 100m above the surrounding plains but fell to the invaders in 1284. Altough not a lot survives and some of the finer pieces have been moved to museum in Colombo, the quality of stone carvings are some of the most beautiful we have seen and it is a pleasant view from the top.