Ayutthaya World Heritage Site. Page (1) | (2) | (3)

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol……..Wat Phra Chao Phya-thai, populary known as Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, is situated to the southeast of the city near to the city walls and within easy reach from the railway station. The monastery was built by King U-Thong in 1357 while the large chedi was built in 1592 to celebrate King Naresuan’s single-handed defeat of the then Burmese Crown Prince after an elephant back duel. It can be seen from a great distance on the skyline. This temple also contains a large statue of the reclining Buddha portraying the spiritual leader at rest covered by a bright orange cloth. Entry 20 baht.
Wat Phra Mahrathat……..Located in Naresuan Road, Wat Phra Mahrathat is central and convenient to the bus terminal. It is believed to be initiated in 1374 by King Borommarachathirat I. It was completed during the reign of King Ramesuan in 1384 and housed a Buddhist relic. The prang of the original structure, however, collapsed in the beginning of 17th Century and was restored with an additional height of 4 metres during the reign of King Prasatthong in the middle of 17th Century. Perhaps the best known image of Wat Phra Mahrathat is the face of Buddha on the trunk of the Bodhi tree. Entry 50 baht.
Wat Ratchaburana……..Wat Ratchaburana is located to the north of Wat Phra Mahrathat with its prang clearly visible from there so is within walking distance. It was built by King Borom Ratchathirat II on this site in memory of his two brothers who killed each other during a fight for the vacant throne of Ayutthaya. King Borom Ratchathirat II was pronounced King in the early Ayutthaya period. The prang is the centerpiece at the temple compound. The vault of Wat Ratchaburana became known to the public some decades ago, and looters broke into the vault in 1957. The looters were apprehended, but a lot of the stolen goods were never recovered. Later on more than 100,000 votive Buddhist tablets were found, as well as gold jewelry with a combined weight of more than 100 kilograms. The vaults inside the main prang also displayed mural paintings, depicting the previous lives of the Buddha. Unfortunately, over the last few years these images have deteriorated a lot. Only very few visible images are left. Visitors can access the vault with care. The stone stairwell is very steep and a rope rail has been fixed to assist those equally determined to enter. A large amount of golden artefacts and treasures found at Wat Ratchaburana are displayed in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. Entry 50 baht.