 |
| https://thailandtourismdirectory.go.th/th/info/attraction/detail/itemid/1455 |
Wat Ratchaburana, “the temple of Royal
Restoration”
Wat
Ratchaburana, which translates to “the temple of Royal Restoration” was built
in 1424 by King Borommarachathirat II as a memorial to his two elder brothers.
It is located on the historical island near Wat Mahathat.
When
it was constructed it was accessible by boat as it was on the banks of a canal,
that has been filled up about a century ago.
History of Wat Ratchaburana
When King Intharacha I died his two eldest
sons fought each other to be the next King. As both died the King’s third son
Prince Sam Phraya ascended the throne. The Prince built Wat Ratchaburana on the
spot where his two older brothers were cremated. Two chedis were erected on the
spot where the princes died. The temple was largely destroyed and looted during
the Burmese invasion of 1767.
Treasures from the temple crypt
In 1957 the crypt of the
Wat Ratchaburana was looted and many precious artifacts as votive tablets,
golden Royal regalia, gems and Buddha images were stolen. The thieves were
caught and some of the treasures were recovered. A year
later the Fine Arts Department started excavation and restoration of the
temple. Many more priceless objects were discovered that are now exhibited at
the nearby Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.
Architecture of the Wat Ratchaburana
Wat Ratchaburana was built following Khmer
design concepts. Its design resembles the early mountain temples of Angkor. The
monastery faces East, the direction of the rising sun. The
temple’s center is a large Khmer style prang symbolizing Mount Meru, the center
of the universe in Buddhist and Hindu cosmology. The prang is surrounded by
four smaller towers, in turn surrounded by a gallery enclosing a courtyard. Much later an ordination hall (ubosot) and a large assembly
hall (viharn) were added. The viharn’s walls are still standing, its wooden
roof has long gone.
Khmer style prang
At the center of the temple stands a large
corncob shaped prang on an elevated platform. Some of the fine stucco
ornamentation is still visible as well as sculptings of mythical creatures as
Garudas and multi headed Naga snakes. On the East side is
a steep stairway leading to the crypt where relics were discovered that are now
exhibited in the nearby Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. The
main prang has been restored by the Fine Arts Department.
Subsidiary chedis and viharns
Around the main buildings is a large number of
chedis in various styles and states of preservation as well as several
subsidiary viharns.
Opening hours
Wat Ratchaburana opens daily from 8 am until 5 pm.
Entrance fees
Entrance fee is 50 Baht
per person.
Reference Data from
http://www.ayutthaya2020.com/watratchaburana.asp
https://thailandtourismdirectory.go.th/th/info/attraction/detail/itemid/1455
https://thailandtourismdirectory.go.th/th/info/attraction/detail/itemid/1455
