Wat Ratchaburana, Ancient Stupas with Thailand's Oldest Murals

Wat Ratchaburana, Naresuan Soi 14, Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, 13000, Thailand

One of the central attractions in Ayutthaya

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Introduction

Wat Mahathat, a famous temple built by the Ayutthaya Kingdom, is the main focus of this article. The temple is renowned for its Khmer-style pagoda, constructed in 1424 AD to commemorate the two brothers who died in a power struggle for the throne. This ancient temple serves as the burial ground for former kings and princes, housing vast amounts of gold, jewelry, and precious artifacts underground. One of the highlights is the ancient mural paintings on the vaulted dome of the temple's crypt, which is one of the oldest Buddhist mural paintings in Thailand. In 1957, the crypt was robbed, and many of the golden art pieces were stolen, with only some of them being recovered. After its restoration in 1958, the temple gained fame due to these artifacts. Visitors can now access the crypt through the stairs to admire the Buddha sculptures and murals from the Ayutthaya era. In addition to the pagoda, the temple also features surrounding temple buildings and memorial pavilions. Situated in the middle of the Ayutthaya island, the temple can be reached by heading about 500 meters north from the main street.