Thailand: Ayutthaya – The City of Palaces and Temples – VIDEO

The city was founded in the year 1350 already. Some sights which you may see in Ayutthayae today, were constructed during the city's foundation. At the end of the 17th century, Ayutthaya was very likely the largest city in the world with one million inhabitants. Here trade routes from China, Malaysia, and India intersected. Traders from Persia, Arabia, and Europe met. In 1767, military attacked the city from Myanmar and burned it to the ground.

What has remained of city's glorious days still makes amazing impression. Inside the historic compound, there are less or more preserved ruins of once beautiful houses, palaces, and convents. Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the largest temple, is known for many renovated stupas known as chedi. The temple was once a part of royal palace's compound which was solely use for the purpose of royal ceremonies. Before an attack of a the Burmese army, a 16-meter Buddha statue layered with 340 kilograms of gold used to be there.

Inside Wat Phra Mahathat temple, there is  famous tree the roots of which have wrapped the head of Buddha. Apart from that there are many headless statues as a result of destruction inflicted by the Burmese army.

The center of the town Ayutthaya is situated on an island surroudned by the branches of the River Pak Sak and Chao Phraya. Some beautiful temples are to be foud behind the river as well, for instance Wat Chai Watthanaram, or Wat Phanan Choeng which is one of the oldest.

Were you interested in Thai history, I highly recommend you to visit Ayutthaya. You can reach it from Bangkok in two hours by train. The best way is to board a train at Bang Sue. Subway can take you to this station which makes your journey across huge capital significantly shorter. Also, you can make a use of a comfortable bus or some of local private travel agencies.

GPS: 14°22'10.9"N 100°35'15.6"E

Text, photos, and video: Matouš Vinš

Music: Dee Yan-Key