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Ayutthaya offers a glimpse into the past glory of the Siam kingdom.
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Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the most sacred and largest temple in the ancient city.
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Characterized by three colossal bell-shaped chedis, it was built in the 15th century as part of the royal palace to enshrine the ashes of monarchs, Buddha images, and accouterments.
The ruin is a testament to Ayutthaya's economic vitality and sophisticated culture.
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A weathered temple that used to preserve holy relics and was home to the Patriarch.
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What is left standing are several restored brick towers, chedis, the temple foundation, and a series of headless Buddha statues.
There is also a mystical Buddha bust entwined in the roots of a banyan tree that has become widely popular on social media.
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It stands out for its resemblance to Angkor Wat, both in layout and decorative elements
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Designed as a mausoleum for the royal family, this temple includes a monumental central prang representing Mount Meru.
These days, the complex is considered one of Ayutthya's finest structures. It looks splendid at dusk when the last sun rays paint the intricate prangs in fiery red and orange shades.
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A restored temple complex best known for its tremendous chedi.
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It was first built in 1357 to house monks returning from ordination. Yet after an "auspicious victory" over a Burmese attack in 1593, the principal chedi was erected as a commemoration.
This soaring structure, with its elevated square base and pointed tip, is the highest in Ayutthaya, at 60 meters tall.
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The former splendor of Ayutthaya is also displayed through antiques in this museum.
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These invaluable artifacts were discovered during archeological excavations and renovations began in the late 1950s.
The exhibitions feature architectural elements, pottery, and statues. Yet most striking are the treasures unearthed from the crypts of the main prangs of Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana.
Fragments of murals that once covered the prang's interior.
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