Lopburi

Province

Lopburi (old name: Lavo in Thai ลพบุรี ) is the capital of the county is ( Amphoe ) Mueang Lopburi and the Lopburi province in the central region of Thailand.

Etymology

The name Lopburi ( from Sanskrit Lava puri ) means "City of Lava". Lava is in Indian mythology the Ramayana epic of one of the twin sons of Rama and Sita.

Geography

Lopburi is located on the eponymous river and covers a very large city area in the middle of the fertile plain of the Maenam Lopburi. North of the city rises the Khao Wong Phra Chan with three pointed prongs impressive show.

The distance to the capital Bangkok is about 150 kilometers.

Economic importance and

The city thrives on a high-yield agriculture: rice, cotton and maize are the main products.

History

Lopburi ( historically Lavo ) is an early establishment of the Mon people, and was already in the 7th century an important center of their Dvaravati culture. When the Khmer in the 10th century infiltrated the area of Thailand and influenced, reigned here a provincial governor with the rank of viceroy. In the 13th century it was King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai, Lopburi incorporated his kingdom. U Thong ( as King Ramathibodi I. ), the founder of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, which dominated the area of ​​today's Thailand from the 14th to the 18th century, probably originated in the royal family of Lopburi. The city won then again only in importance when King Narai was 1664 to develop a strategic fortress because of the constant threat from the Burmese Lopburi and made ​​it his second capital.

From the once magnificent residence of many remains are still remained. Unlike Ayutthaya Lopburi was not entirely razed in the conquest of the kingdom by the troops of the King of Ava in 1767 the ground.

Attractions

  • Phra Narai Ratcha Niwet ( พระ นารายณ์ ราช นิ เวสน์ ) -. Palace of King Narai in Lopburi built in 1665-1677 It was designed by French Jesuits, who were settled in the capital of Ayutthaya since 1662. The Chantarapisarn pavilion was built in 1924 by Prince Damrong and Prince Rajanubhab Narisara Nuwattiwong opened as " Lopburi Museum ", which today houses a large collection of historical and ancient objects of art in several buildings.
  • Statue of King Narai - in honor of the conveyor of urban development in the 17th century.
  • Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat ( วัด พระ ศรี รัตน มหาธาตุ ) - great Buddhist temple ( Wat ) with a high Prang; the original structure existed before the arrival of the Khmer. ( See also: Wat Mahathat )
  • Phra Prang Sam Yod ( "Three Holy Prang " - พระ ปรางค์ สาม ยอด ) - three laterite Prang from the Khmer Empire (11th century), among Narai a Viharn was built, which houses a Buddha statue from Ayutthayazeit.
  • The town is plagued by long-tailed macaques that roam especially at Prang Sam Yod. They are only tolerated because they attract large numbers of tourists. Feeding the monkeys are not allowed in the city.
  • San Phra Kan ( ศาล เจ้าพ่อ พระ กาฬ ) - a Brahmin shrine, opposite the Prang Sam Yod, built in 1951, contains a highly revered four-armed statue with a Buddha head. Behind the shrine remains of a Khmer prang can be seen, which is now used as a " monkey sanctuary " in which the monkeys may be fed.
  • Wat Thong Thong - held from the Ayutthaya period, but Western-style
  • Ban Wichayen - ruins of the residence of Constantine Phaulkon, the Greek -born minister under King Narai
  • Prang Khaek - small Hindu shrine in the Khmer style
Mueang Lopburi District Lopburi River Uthong Narisara Nuvadtivongs Buddhism Prang (architecture) Crab-eating macaque
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