Anuradhapura -Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace)
The first Lovamahapaya was constructed by King Devanampiyatissa at the site consecrated by Arahat Mahinda.
A great new building was erected by King Dutugemunu (161 – 137 B.C.), which was 150 feet in height and 150 feet square, in 9 floors, with 1,000 rooms for the use of the Bhikkhus. This building caught fire and King Saddhatissa (137-119 B.C.), the brother of King Dutugemunu, re-constructed it with 7 floors.
King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) did major repairs to the building and added 2 ponds for the supply of water.
What you see today, 40 rows of 40 pillars in each raw (1600) are the remains of Parakramabahu’s work.