The Satmahal Prasada or 'seven-storied stupa' was built during the reign of King Nissanka Malla (1187??196). The stupa is apparently unique in Sri Lanka, although excavations at Annuradhapura indicate that the 2nd century BC Digavapi Cetiya was also square in shape and built of brick.

Essentially, the Satmahal Prasada is a square, pyramid-like structure [rather like a much smaller and much steeper version of the step-pyramid of King Zoser (c2650 BC) in Egypt] that once had seven levels, now reduced by time to six, becoming consecutively smaller towards the top. Each of the four sides of each tier of the Satmahal Prasada is (or was) ornamented by the figure of a deity in a single arched niche.

Polonnaruwa, the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country under a national leader.