Attraction Details :
Wat
Ratchaburana is at the foot of Paa Than bridge in Tha Wasukri
subdistrict, Phra Nakorn Sri Ayutthaya (Krung Kao) district, Ayutthaya
province. It is located north of Wat Mahathat and stands only a short
distance away from the royal palace. Wat Ratchaburana is one of the
royal monasteries built in the Ayutthaya era and the eldest temple in
the province. According to the Royal Chronicles, it was constructed in
1424 during the reign of Somdet Phra Borommaracha II, commonly known as
Chao Sam Phraya, on the royal cremation site of Chao Ai Phraya and Chao
Yi Phraya. Somdet Phra Borommaracha II had 2 memorial pagodas built on
the location where both of his elder brothers fought each other to the
death on elephants’ backs, and named the pagodas after his borthers’
names – Chedi Chao Ai Phraya and Chedi Chao Yi Phraya.
The highlight of Wat Ratchaburana is
the crypt where tremendous treasures were stored. In the year 1956 –
1957, looters smuggled through the Prang and plundered a considerable
amount of valuables, especially votive tablets made of tin and lead. In
September 1957, the Fine Arts Department officially excavated and
restored the crypt of Wat Ratchaburana. To their surprise, they
uncovered the relics of the Lord Buddha, swords, crowns, golden attires,
Buddha images made of gold and copper alloy, royal regalia and a few
hundred thousands of votive tablets. Later the Fine Arts Department
allowed collectors to purchase these recuperated sacred items, and the
proceeds from the sale were meant to build Chao Sam Phraya National
Museum. The museum was founded on the occasion that His Majesty the King
and Her Majesty the Queen paid a visit to admire the invaluable
artifacts excavated from the crypt. The museum is situated in Pratu Chai
subdistrict, Pridi Banomyong Road. All the recuperated treasures are
stored in Ratchaburana Room inside the museum.
