Wat Phra Si Sanphet
This is the most important temple within the
Royal Palace compound and corresponds to The Emerald Buddha
Temple in Bangkok's Grand Palace.
In 1500 a 16-meters high standing Buddha was cast by King Ramathipodi II. The image was covered with gold weighing some 170 kilogrammes.
In 1767, the Burmese set fire to the image to melt off the gold, completely destroying the image and the temple.
Nearby are three ceylonese-style chedis built during the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings. These were renovated in 1956.
Wat Na Phramen
This recently-restored temple is situated opposite the Ancient Palace and is an important 13th century temple. The most interesting objects are the principal Buddha image, fully decorated in regal attire, and another image made of black stone in the small Vihara.
Wat Phra Maha That
This temple is on the corner of Chi Kun Road and Naresuan Road. It was built by King Ramesuan in 1384. The major construction was the high pagoda, or prang, which was destroyed by Burmese invaders. When the government undertook to restore all Ayutthaya ruins in 1956, the Fine Arts Department excavated the pagoda and found a buried treasure chest containing many valuables. Among objects discovered were a relic of Lord Buddha, placed inside a golden casket, several golden Buddha images in different sizes, and many other objects in gold, ruby and crystal.
These are now housed in Bangkok's National Museum.
Wat Ratburana
This temple is situated
opposite the Maha That temple and should be considered its twin. It
is the most important temple built by King Boromraja II, the seventh
Ayutthayan King, at his brother's cremation site. During restoration
in 1958, many ancient valuables were found, including Royal Regalia
made of gold and jewels, rare and antique jewel and gold pieces of
superb craftsmanship, and golden Buddha images.
Chedi Phu Khao Thong
This temple is generally
called "Golden Mount Pagoda". It is some 80 meters high
and is located on Ayutthaya's northern outskirts. Purportedly, this
pagoda was built in Mon (Burmese) style by King Burengnong of Burma
to commemorate Burmese victory during the 1569 invasion of
Ayutthaya. When Ayutthaya's independence was restored by King
Naresuan in 1584, the pagoda was remodelled in Thai style. In 1956,
the government placed a golden ball, weighing 2,500 grammes, on top
of the pagoda to celebrate the Buddhist religion's 25th century.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
This temple is also called
"Wat Chao Phraya Thai". It is located a few minutes
outside of Ayutthaya. It was built by King U-Thong in 1357 for
meditation. In 1592, when King Naresuan defeated Burmese by killing
the Burmese Crown Prince in single-handed combat on elephants, he
constructed the temple's large pagoda to match the high pagoda at
Chedi Phu Khao Thong which had purportedly been built by the
Burmese. This massive pagoda, in ruinous state at the present, is
visible from a great distance.
Wat Phrachao Phananchoeng
This monastery located south
of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has no record as to its date of
construction or the person causing its construction. It existed
before Ayutthaya was founded as the capital. The principal image in
the Wihan called "Phrachao Phananchoeng" was built in A.D.
1325; it is a golden Buddha of 19 metres high made of stucco in the
attitude of Subduing Evil; considered beautiful, it is most revered
by the inhabitants of Ayutthaya. More
