On the bank of Pasak River, this palace was built during the
reign of King Maha Thammaraja, the 17th
Ayutthayan monarch, for his son’s residence (King Naresuan).
Like other ruins, the palace was destroyed by the Burmese
and lift unrepaired for a long time. King Mongkut of the
present Chakri dynasty ordered reconstructoin of this palace
for use as a residence during his occasional visits to
Ayutthaya. Some of the more interesting sites are :
They were newly constructed by the command of King Rama IV.
The original foundation of the city wall has since been
found through excavation, thus revealing that the original
area was much more spacious than what is currently seen.
This wooden four gabled roof pavilion is near the east gate
of the palace. Originally, a residential place of King
Mongkut during his visit to Ayutthaya.
A group of buildings located amidst the
compound of the grand palace, which once
served as government offices and the
Provincial Administrative Building for
several years.
This is a four storey high tower
located close to the western side of the Grand Palace.
It was originally constructed during
the 2 nd fall of Ayutthaya. It was reconstructed according to the
original foundation in the fourth reign. King Rama IV used the Tower to
observe th stars.
The palace is now used as a national
museum. It has been decorated for demonstration of antiques such as
Chainaware, ancient weapons, King Rama IV’s personal things for daily
life, Buddha images, sculptures and votive tablets of different times.
The museum is open everyday from 09.00-16.00 hrs. except Monday,
Tuesday, and national holidays.
This ancient monastery named "Wat Sua"
is behind Chankasem Palace. The main
attractions are two Buddha images: Phra
Samphuttha Muni, the principal image
enshrined in the Ubosot, and Phra In
Plaeng enshrined in the Wihan; both were
transferred from Vientiane.
is the monastery within the royal
compound, located to the southwest on
the edge of Pom Phet, an ancient fort.
First, it was called "Wat Thong".
Established in the Ayutthaya period, the
monastery was extended and restored
several times during the reigns of the
Chakri kings. The mural paintings on the
upper part of the inside wall of the
Ubosot depict the gathering of the
deities, and on the lower part, the
jataka stories of Wetsandon, Temi, and
Suwannasam are described.
The front wall shows a picture of the
Buddha subduing evil. Within the Vihara,
there is a picture of the bravery of
King Naresuan the Great, which is a
masterpiece of several copies found in
many places.
This palace is located close to the
western city wall of Ayutthaya (in the
vicinity of the present location of the
distillery plant of the Excise
Department). It was originally the
garden where the king made a visit from
time to time. There was only one
residential building in the entire area.
King Maha Thammaracha commanded more
buildings to be built in the area to
mark it a palace was only the residence
of royal family members, so now no one
can see the important items.
The memorial for the first heroine in
Thai history, is located in Ko Muang to the west. Among various places
of interest within the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, this
ancient place is of much importance as a proof of honor that ancient
Thai society gave to Thai women.
Phra Si
Suriyothai was the royal consort of Phra Mahachakkraphat. In
1548, only 7 months after being crowned as king he was challenged by a
Burmese attack under the supervision of Phrachao Tabeng Chaweti and his
warlord, Burengnong. The Burmese army intruded into the kingdom through
the Three Pagoda Pass in Kanchanaburi and came to set up military camps
around the royal compound. During the fighting on elephant back, Phra
Mahachakkaraphat faced danger. Phra Si Suriyothai, clad in a warrior's
suit, interrupted the fighting with the intention to provide assistance
for her husband. she rode her elephant in the way of Phrachao Prae, a
Burmese commander, and was cut to death by his sword. after the end of
the war, Phra Mahachakkraphat arranged a funeral and established the
cremation site to be a temple named "Wat Sopsawan".
In the reign of King Rama V, there was
a quest for the historical sites as mentioned in the royal chronicle.
The exact location of Wat Sopsawan was identified with a large indented
stupa which was renamed by King Rama VI as Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai.
In 1990, the government assigned the Fine Arts Department and the
National Security Command to restore the chedi, which had deteriorated
over time. Fortunately, on 20 May 1990, some antique objects were found
such as a white rock crystal Buddha image in the posture of subduing
Mara, a chedi replica, and a golden reliquary. These ancient objects
were brought to be under the care of the Chao Sam Phraya National
Museum.
Is located within the area of the Ayutthaya liquor plant
adjacent to Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai. On its total area of 5
rai, there is a common building, a Somdet Phra Si Suriyothai
pavilion, a mound with marble Semas (boundary stones of a
temple) aged over 400 years where the fragmented parts of
Buddha images taken from Wat Phutthaisawan were buried, etc.
the liquor distillery organization, who sponsored the
construction of the park, wished to devoted all good deeds
in transforming the former inner part of the royal compound
to all of the late kings who used to live here before. King
Rama IX graciously named the park "Suan Si Suriyothai" on 25
May, 1989. Then, the park was conferred to Her Majesty Queen
Sirikit on the eve of her 60th birthday anniversary. The
park opens daily for the public from 09.00-17.00 hrs.
This monastery is over a
kilometer behind Wat Suanluangsopsawan adjacent to Wat
Worachettharam. Accessible by the road inside the compound
of the distillery plant, or through the road behind the
Phlapphla Trimuk (three-gabled roof pavilion), it is in the
area of the ancient palace passing Wat Woraphot and Wat
Worachettharam going to the site of the large reclining
Buddha, made of brick and covered with plaster,
approximately 29 meters long. Many large hexagonal pillar
ruins near the image are believed to be the ruins of the
Ubosot.
Is the monastery located outside Ko Muang, opposite Chedi
Phra Si Suriyothai, on the bank of the Chao Phraya river.
Its former name was Kasattra or Kasattraram. It is an
ancient temple of the Ayutthaya period with a main Prang
(stupa) as its center.
Another monastery that is located on the bank of Chaophraya
River, on the west of the city island. King Prasat Thong
commanded it built. The great beauty has been reflected from
the main stupa and its satellite stupas along the gallery,
an architecture influenced by Khmer. Traveling can be made
by river form Chankasem Palace. A long-tailed boat service
is available at 300-400 Baht for a round trip, consuming
about one hour.
Is the monastery situated on the riverbank opposite Ko Muang
to the south. Travel by car along the route Ayutthaya - Sena
to the west of Ko Muang. After passing the bridge in front
of Wat Kasattrathirat, turn left to Wat Chaiwattanaram.
Follow the direction signs, you will find a left turn to Wat
Phutthaisawan. This monastery was built in the area where
King U-Thong moved to establish his city. The area was first
known as Wiang Lek, named after the royal palace of King
U-Thong the most interesting part of Wat Phutthaisawan is
the great principal Buddha image; its style is of the early
Ayutthaya period.
is the Portuguese village located in
Tambon Samphao Lorn, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river and to
the south of the city. The Portuguese were the first Europeans who
traveled to trade with the Ayutthaya kingdom. In 1511, Al Fonco De Al
Buquerq, the Portuguese governor to Asia, dispatched a diplomatic troupe
led by ambassador Mr.Du Arte Fernandes to Ayutthaya during the reign of
King Ramathibodi II. After that, some Portuguese came to the kingdom for
different purposes: trade, military volunteers in the Ayutthaya army, or
on a religious mission. They built a church as the center of their
community and to serve religious purposes.
Presently, some traces of former
construction have been found at the village site. At the ancient remains
of San Petro, a Dominican church, some antique objects were excavated
together with human skeletons such as tobacco pipes, coins, and
accessories for a religious ceremony.
The pavilion, utilized as the royal seat to witness the
elephant round up, is located 4 kilometres from the city
along Highway No. 309. The outlook is a big cage surrounded
with logs having, from the front centre, fencing lines of 45
degrees spread out to both sides far away into the jungle
area. Around the kraal itself, is an earthen wall with
bricks to the height of the pillars’top. Behind the kraal
currently seen was renovated in the year 1957.
The former name of this monastery was Wat
Phra Merurachikaram. Located on the bank of
Khlong Sabua opposite the grand palace, the
date of construction is unknown. The Ubosot
design is of very old typical Thai style.
The most interesting objects are the
principal Buddha image, fully decorated in
regal attire, and another image make of
black stone in the small Wihan.
Located in front of the railway station to the east, this
old monastery has beautiful work with better craftsmanship
than many other temples, but it has deteriorated to a high
degree.
Located near Wat Kudidao, it was renovated by Chao Phraya
Kosa (Lek) and Phraya Kosa (Pan) during the reign of King
Narai the great. The main attraction is a large Prang having
an unusual outlook different from the others. It is believed
to imitate the design of Chedi Chet Yot of Chiangmai.
This monastery constructed in the reign of King U-Thong is
located outside the city to the southeast in the same
direction as the railway station; one can see its large
pagodas from far away. King Naresuan the great commanded the
pagoda built to celebrate the victory of his single-handed
combat on the elephant's back. he also aimed at a huge
construction to match the large pagoda of Wat Phukhao Thong,
and named it "Phra Chedi Chaiyamongkhon".
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 made of stucco in the attitude of subduing evil; considered
beautiful, it is most revered by the inhabitants of Ayutthaya.
This is located 1.5 kilometers
far from Wat Phanancheong in Tambon Ko Rien. There is an
additional building of the Ayutthaya Historical Study
Center, where the foreign affairs of Ayutthaya Period are on
exhibition.