Wat Ratchaburana is a Buddhist temple in Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok is an important and historic city in lower northern Thailand and is the capital of Phitsanulok Province, which stretches all the way to the Laotian border. Phitsanulok is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, founded over 600 years ago...

, Thailand

Thailand

Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...

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Geography

Wat Ratchaburana lies in the center of Phitsanulok, on the west bank of the Nan River

Nan River

The Nan River is a river in Thailand. It is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River.-Geography:The Nan River originates in Nan Province. The provinces along the river after Nan Province are Uttaradit, Phitsanulok and Phichit. The Yom River joins the Nan River at Chum Saeng...

, and to the south of the main temple of the province, Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan is a Buddhist temple in Phitsanulok, Thailand, where it is located on the bank of the Nan River near the Naresuan Bridge.- History :...

. Wat Ratchaburana is connected to Wat Nang Phaya

Wat Nang Phaya

-Geography:Wat Nang Phaya is located on the eastern bank of the Nan River. Wat Nang Phaya links to the campus of Wat Ratchaburana.-History:Wat Nang Phaya is said to have been built when Phitsanulok was ruled by King Trailokanat .-Features:...

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History

In 1463, King Boromma Trailokanat (1448-1488) of Ayutthaya moved the capital of his empire to Phitsanulok, and ordered the establishment of new temples, as well as the restoration of existing older ones. Wat Ratchaburana dates back to the beginning of his reign in Phitsanulok. He ordered the construction a chedi and other buildings on the temple's campus. Today, the impressive chedi is nearly all that remains of the original construction. However, other buildings have been constructed among the ruins. At one time, King Mongkut

Mongkut

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama IV, known in foreign countries as King Mongkut , was the fourth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1851-1868...

(Rama IV) headed a construction and restoration project of the temple.

Features

The most significant feature is the nearly 600 year old chedi, dating back to the time of King Trailokanat. The chedi is said to enshrine relics of the Buddha. However, there is no access to the chedi's spire. Wat Ratchaburana has an unusual roof structure. Also, in the nearby shrine, a very nice Sukhothai style Buddha figure is situated amidst red painted columns. In addition, the shrine houses a showroom displaying old coins, bank notes, musical instruments and glass objects. The walls are decorated with artistic frescoes. An old bell tower, Hor Rakhang, as well as a recently construcetd shrine with a garden and six swan figures stand beside the monastery. There is also a meeting hall on the camups.