Built at Ayutthaya’s zenith, in the 17C, in the style of an Angkor temple, Wat Chai Wathanaram is home to a magnificent central prang , which houses relics of Buddha. Situated at the four cardinal points, the chedi are worth a visit to admire thei..

Unlike its neighbouring temple, Wat Mahatat, Wat Ratchaburana has preserved intact its Khmer prang , studded with niches to house statues of Buddha. This wat was erected in the 15C by King Borommaracha II following a fratricidal battle over the su..

Wat Phra Si Sanphet, built within the grounds of the royal palace, served as the chapel for the kings of Ayutthaya. Little remains of the temple complex apart from the three large chedi , which are characteristic of art in Ayutthaya, with their Khme..

As is the case with a number of temples in Ayutthaya, only the chedi and prang are still standing today, the latter’s stuccowork embellished with fine statues of mythological characters (the half-man half-bird garuda and the naga , the snake a..

The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum is home to a remarkable collection of Buddhist art, including gold treasures excavated from the temples of Ayutthaya, bronze Buddhas, Sukhothai-style statues, 18C wooden doors and Bencharong celadon. The exhibits b..

Ayutthaya nestles in a loop of the River Chao Phraya, at its confluence with the Lopburi and Pasak rivers. The River Pasak can be explored by boat, providing a different view of the old city. Admire the houses on stilts and the temple ruins (such a..

The statue of the seated Buddha is said to have shed tears the day the town was sacked by the Burmese in 1769 and it is perhaps for this reason that it is so venerated today. All day long, Thais carry out merit-making activities (such as offering t..

When standing in front of these ruins, it’s difficult to imagine the size of Wat Mahatat, situated in the heart of a man-made island on which ancient Ayutthaya once stood, although the base of the prang (which must have been 50m high) provides some..

Although very badly damaged, Wat Thammikarat has preserved an octagonal chedi from the first Ayutthaya period, framed by a series of magnificent singha – hieratic seated lions made from brick and stucco. A small adjoining wihan , guarded by a ki..

The Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre makes it possible to understand the importance and influence of the kingdom of Ayutthaya within the context of Thai history through a display of models, old maps, slideshows, illustrations of daily life, various ..

Wat Na Phra Men, situated beyond the boundaries of Ayutthaya’s island, on the opposite bank of the River Lopburi, was restored in the 17C and escaped the destruction caused during the sacking of the town by the Burmese. This temple has retained a sta..

At the entrance to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, an avenue passes in front of a reclining Buddha (7m long) leading to an unusual small altar laden with myriad objects. Devotees leave these objects here for the spirit said to occupy the complex. The avenue t..

This museum is hidden behind high walls with white crenellations belonging to an old 17C palace built for King Naresuan. Completely destroyed by the Burmese and then abandoned, the palace was restored by Rama IV, who made it his summer residence. Var..