Mihintale is situated in Anuradhapura Trincomalee highway (A12) approximately 12.5 km (7.8 mi) east of Anuradhapura city. This small ancient city is well known as the historic site where Buddhist monk Arahat Mahinda, the messenger from emperor Ashoka, met the King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is symbolic pilgrimage site with several religious monuments and ruins of ancient structures.
Few kilometers away from the ancient site, next to Mahakanadarawa tank, a thousand years old man made lake, the remains of a stone bridge can be seen. This is a remaining part of an ancient highway system from the then capital Anuradhapura to Trincomalee ( Then called "Gokanna"). (Ref. Vidanapathirana, P., 2017. Highway system in Ancient Sri Lanka. The International Conference on Land Transportation, Locomotive Heritage and Road Culture-2017. https://www.archaeology.lk/highway-system-in-ancient-sri-lanka/ )
Remnants of few stone bridges can be seen close to Anuradhapura area, mainly across Malwathu oya - the main river flows through the area. The Mihintale or Mahakanadarawa stone bridge is still stands across the water way without collapsing.
Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/voNuKZiH6LYz1Ktp8
