These ruined 14th to 18th Century temples and palaces date from a period when Ayutthaya was a separate Thai kingdom and these are the remains of its capital. In its heyday it had close ties with European nations and its 17th Century ambassadors compared it in size and wealth to Paris with it’s 400 temples, three palaces and miles of man made canals. The architecture is a blend of many of the regions styles, with a preference for prangs, the cactus like obelisks similar to those at Angkor Wat, pointed, wide based stupas like those at Sukhothai, red brick and carved Buddhas. Some of the temples have been rebuilt or have undergone extensive repairs, but with over 400, some are little more than the original structure on the ground. One of the highlights is the Royal Chapel with has three large pagodas in the Cambodian style. The site has a museum containing some of the finds discovered while excavating the site - including an assortment of gold coins. The city became deserted and ruined after a Burmese invasion in the 18th Century after which the capital was moved to Bangkok. Listed as a World Heritage Site the ruins and there surronarea is now protected.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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