Temples in Ayutthaya

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Important Temples Ayutthaya Historical Park

 

We have visited most of the important temples around Ayutthaya Historical Park. Somehow we also managed to skip one or two. In any case, we advise that you need about two full days to cover most of the sites. This amount of time is the same whether you use a bike, a car, or a touring coach. Most visitors will only spend a few hours in the old capital, but this will not allow you to have a full overview of its culture and history.

The history and culture of Ayutthaya can be divided into three main period :
The Early Ayutthaya Period, the Middle Period, and the Late Ayutthaya Period.
From an architectural viewpoint, we can make simple distinction between the three periods. During the first period, the Prang (adapted from Khmer architecture) was the most prominent structure within the temple compound. During the middle period, the chedi (or stupa), often in Sri Lankan (rounded) style became the most visible monument. During the later Ayutthaya period, the Ubosoth or Coronation Hall became larger and larger, and while the prangs and chedis are still there, they are less prominent.
Please bear in mind, that quite a few of the older temples have been restored. Therefore elements of newer architecture may be seen in the older temple compounds.

We visited the following wats (or temples) : Important and/or extensively covered temples are in bold.

Temples in the Early Ayutthaya period :

Wat Phutthai Sawan
Wat Som
Wat Mahathat

Wat Ratchaburana

Wat Phra Ram

Middle Ayutthaya period :

Wat Maheyong
Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Wat Thammikarat

Late Ayutthaya period :

Wat Chai Wattanaram
Wat Na Phramen

Wat Kasatthirat

Wat Sala Phun

Wat Choeng Tha
Wat Phu Khao Thong
Wat Worachetharam

Add-on : The Prang in Khmer and Ayutthaya Architecture.

Prang at Wat Phutthai Sawan, early Ayutthaya period. 'Thai'-styled prang (rounded). The top of the prang tapers off gradually.

 

Images by G.V., Bangkok, copyrighted.

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More Temples in Ayutthaya :
Early Ayutthaya period : Wat Phutthai Sawan | Wat Som | Wat Mahathat | Wat Ratchaburana | Wat Phra Ram Middle Ayutthaya period : Wat Maheyong | Wat Phra Si Sanphet | Wat Thammikarat
Late Ayutthaya period : Wat Chai Wattanaram | Wat Na Phramen | Wat Kasatthirat | Wat Sala Phun | Wat Choeng Tha | Wat Phu Khao Thong | Wat Worachetharam |
Add on : The Prang in Khmer and Thai Architecture | Overview of temples in Ayutthaya

More history and historical monuments of Thailand :
Ban Chiang Culture | Dvaravati Culture and Art | The Khmer Empire in Thailand | The Kingdom of Sukhothai | The Kingdom of Ayutthaya | With Bangkok as the Capital : Rattanakosin Period 1 | Rattanakosin Period 2 | Outside Rattanakosin

Historical Parks of Thailand : Sukhothai | Si Satchanalai | Kamphaeng Phet


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