Located on Rochana Road, this
center is a national research institute devoted to the study
of Ayutthaya, especially during the period when it was the
capital of Thailand. The center is responsible for the
museum of the history of Ayutthaya, which exhibits
reconstructions from the past. The center also supports an
information service and a library containing historical
materials about Ayutthaya.
The center is open everyday from 09.00-16.30
hrs, official holidays from 09.00-17.00.
For more details please contact Tel: (035) 245 -124
(Admission fee: 100 Baht)
This is on Rochana Road,
opposite the city wall. It houses various antique bronze
Buddha images and famous carved panels. a receptacle at the
Thai pavilion contains relics of lord Buddha and objects of
art more that 500 years old. The museum also has a
substantial collection of local artifacts.
The museum is open everyday except Monday,
Tuesday and national holidays from 09.00 -16.00 hrs.
(Admission fee: 10 Baht). For more information Tel: (035)
241 – 587
The forts along the city wall and outer circle fortresses as
found in the historical records include Pom Mahachai, Pom
Phet, Pom Ho Ratchakhru, Pom Chidkop, Pom Champaphon, Pom
Yai, etc. They are mostly situated at waterway
intersections.
There were three palaces in Ayutthaya : Grand Palace,
Chankasem Palace or the Front Palace, and Wang Lang or the
Rear Palace. In addition, there were many other palaces and
buildings for royal visits located outside the city area of
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, such as Bang Pa-In Palace at
Amphoe Bang Pa-In and Nakhon Luang Buelding at Amphoe Nakhon
Luang.
Currently called “Ancient Palace” , the residential palace
of every king was located close to the city wall of
Ayutthaya. A road passes by from Chankasem Palace, which is
two kilometres away to the north. Important buildings inside
the Grand Palace compound are :
The top of this hall has been decorated in a unique style of
architecture called Prang. It has longer space in front and
rear gabled rooms, and shorter space in the side gabled
rooms. It was surrounded with a three-sided cloister and
utilized for various royal ceremnoies such as coronations.
This was the first building over constructed in Ayutthaya to
be affixed with gold leaf.
A four-gabled roof building constructed of sandstone and
brick; it is close to the riverside city wall. It was used
as a place to witness the royal barge processions.
This is located behind the Sanphet Prasat Hall. It is
believed to have been the residential area of the consort
members and is also the royal relaxing place in the garden.
Formerly known by the name of ‘Phra Thinang Thaisa’ , It is
located in the back compound of the Grand Palace on an
Island in a pond. It has four-gabled roof architecture.
This important and most outstanding monastery is located in
grand palace compound like Wat Phra Si Ratanasatsadaram (Wat
Phra Kaeo) of Bangkok. Used as a residential palace, it
became a monastery in the reign of King Ramathibodi I. When
King Borom Trai Lokanat commanded new living quarters built,
this residential palace was given to be a temple area, thus
originating Wat Phra Si Sanphet: the royal chapel does not
have any monks and novice inhabitants.
Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large
bronze cast Buddha image was originally enshrined outside
the Grand Palace to the east. King Songtham commanded it to
be transferred to the west, where it is currently enshrined
and covered with a Mondop. Later in the reign of Phra Chao
Sua, the top of the Mondop was burnt down by a fire due to a
thunderbolt. Then, the King commanded a new building and the
image were badly destroyed by fire, the one currently seen
was renovated but does not have as beautifun craftsmanship
as the previous ones. The open area east of the Sanctuary (Wihan)
was formerly Sanam Luang, where the royal cremation
ceremonies took place (This prectice is now held at Sanam
Luang, where the royal cremation ceremonies took place (This
prectice is now held at Sanam Luang, the Phramain Ground of
Bangkok).
This monastery was situated outside the grand palace
compound to the east. King Ramesuan commanded it built on
ground, where the royal cremation ceremony for his father
King U -Thong, took place. A big lagoon is in front of this
monastery. its original name was "Nong Sano", it was changed
to be "Bung Phraram" or currently Phraram Public Park.
This monastery was located near pa than bridge opposite Wat
Mahathat. King Borom Rachathirat II (Chao Sam Phraya)
commanded two pagodas built on the ground where Chao Ai and
Chao Yi engaged in single hand combat from elephant's back,
and both were killed. Later, he established a Wihan combined
with the pagodas and upgraded it to be monastery.
Situated on U - Thong Road to the southwest of the city, is
a big public park offering various plants referred to in
Thai literature and archaeological sites.
