Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Founded in 1448 by King Borommatrailokkanat as a royal temple within the Grand Palace grounds. It served as the most important temple of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, used exclusively for royal ceremonies and enshrining relics. Three main chedis were built in 1492, 1499 and 1529 to enshrine the ashes of King Borommatrailokkanat, King Borommarachathirat III and King Ramathibodi II. Destroyed during the Burmese sack of Ayutthaya in 1767 and later partially restored by the Fine Arts Department.

Considered the most sacred royal temple of the Ayutthaya period and the model for Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok. It represents classic Ayutthaya Buddhist architecture and royal religious tradition. As part of the Historic City of Ayutthaya UNESCO World Heritage Site, it remains an important cultural and religious landmark for Thai history and Buddhism.