Wat Phu Khao Thong (Ayutthaya)

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Chedi Phu Khao Thong

The Wat Phu Khao Thong ( Thai วัด ภูเขาทอง , Golden Mountain Temple ) is a Buddhist temple complex ( Wat ) in the Ayutthaya Historical Park .

location

Wat Phu Khao Thong is about two kilometers west of Expressway 309 northwest of the old town of Ayutthaya.

Building history

The temple was built in 1387 by King Ramesuan , the son of the founder of Ayutthaya, King Ramathibodi I. The Burmese ruler Bayinnaung had the approximately 80-meter-high chedi built in 1569 on the occasion of the capture of Ayutthaya by the Burmese . The building was not finished, however, because the later King Naresuan the Great conquered Ayutthaya back in 1584 and had the chedi expanded, but used the Thai architectural style.

From 1744 to 1745, King Boromakot ordered the restoration and some stylistic additions to the entire complex, before it was almost completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767 during the second conquest of Ayutthaya.

Today there are two different architectural styles: the Burmese Mon style predominates from the base to the balustrade , while the Thai style can be seen from the balustrade to the top of the roof.

In 1956, during the extensive reconstruction work by the Thai government, a 2.5 kilogram golden ball was attached to the top of the chedi; this took place on the occasion of the 2500 year anniversary of the foundation of the Buddhist religion.

Attractions

The chedi is accessible and allows a view of the area. Some brick constructions testify to the dimensions of the old temple. Buddha statues are housed in the building itself .

literature

  • Clarence Aasen: Architecture of Siam: A Cultural History and Interpretation . Oxford: Oxford University Press 1998. ISBN 983-56-0027-9 .

Web links

Commons : Wat Phu Khao Thong, Ayutthaya  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 14 ° 22 ′ 8 ″  N , 100 ° 32 ′ 23 ″  E