Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (city)

Province

The city of Ayutthaya ( Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya official name, Thai: พระนครศรีอยุธยา, IPA: [ p ʰ ráʔ na.k ʰ ɔ̄ ː n sǐ ː ʰ ʔa.jút.t A.Yes ː ] ) is a city in Thailand's Ayutthaya province. It is the capital of the district ( Amphoe ) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Ayutthaya Province in the central region of Thailand.

The city of Ayutthaya was in the year 2012 53.290 inhabitants.

Ayutthaya was once the capital of the Thai Kingdom of Ayutthaya and in the 18th century, the metropolis of Southeast Asia.

Geography

Ayutthaya is located on an island at the confluence of three rivers: Maenam Chao Phraya, Pasak and Lopburi, about 70 kilometers north of the capital Bangkok. In the 14th century, the city was still near the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, as a result of centuries of sediment formation and has today about 100 kilometers from the coast.

History

After an early founding by the Khmer Prince U Thong expanded the city and made it in 1351 as the capital of his kingdom after he had fled here to escape from a chicken pox epidemic of Lopburi. At the beginning of the 15th century Ayutthaya was a serious power. This was followed by a more than 400 - year period of the rulers of Ayutthaya. A total of 35 kings ruled more or less large areas of Siam and the capital advanced steadily.

Since the 16th century, European merchants came to the city and report full of enthusiasm with the splendor and magnificence of the architecture. In its heyday, Ayutthaya was a cosmopolitan city with the three royal palaces, 375 temples and 94 city gates, which was protected by 29 defense forts. French, Portuguese, British, Dutch and Japanese people lived in their districts, apart from the approximately 1 million Siamese capital. The Europeans had their own churches, of which St. Joseph Cathedral from the 18th century is still preserved.

The wealth founded on the rich harvest of the fertile central plains as well as taxes and duties levied on trade and transport. Trade relations existed with China, Java, Malaysia, India, Ceylon, Persia, Japan, Portugal, France, Holland and England. The enormous development in architecture, painting and literature illustrates the wealth. Gold was a much-used metal than gold leaf used in bookbinding, paintings, even entire buildings (many Chedis for example, were gold plated ).

Initially protected by earthen ramparts and palisades, it was fortified in 1550 with a brick wall. Several sieges by the Burmese she could survive throughout history, before she was taken on April 7, 1767, plundered and almost completely destroyed. Ayutthaya recovered from this disaster is no longer a short time later founded by King Phutthayotfa Chulaloke ( Rama I ) the new capital of Bangkok, where he had built a substantial copy of the destroyed royal palace in the form of the Grand Palace.

Attractions

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum: Museum in the old town with precious objects that were found in Wat Ratchaburana (see below), as well as carved votive tablets and Buddha statues.
Ayutthaya Historical Study Center: The modern building was designed by architect and serves Thai and Japanese historical research on the history of Ayutthaya. There is also a museum and a library of relevant literature.
Chandra Kasem Palace: from the 16th century, served as the residence of King Naresuan the Great
Wang Luang (also Old Palace ): former palace from the time of King Borommatrailokanat ( 1448-1488 ), today is still the Trimuk pavilion to visit
Wat Mahathat was built many years before founding the city. It was the ritual center of the city. The present ruins date from the restoration, which was commissioned by King Prasat Thong in order. The 46 meter high prang is one of the most impressive buildings of the old capital.
Wat Na Phra Men (written: Nah Pra Meru ) is on the other side of the river opposite the royal palace. In Viharn Noi there is an impressive seated Buddha statue in the Dvaravati style. The main Buddha statue in ubosot King Prasat Thong is attributed ( mid 17th century ), it is a seated statue " in royal regalia " (see Buddha Statue ( Thailand) ).
Wat Choeng Phanan: Temple with one of the largest ancient Buddha statue in the country
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet is the most beautiful temple ( wat ) in the city. It lies just south of the former palace grounds. Its three large stupas that house the ashes of King Ramathibodi II and his father from the 15th century, are the symbol of Ayutthaya. The associated Viharn and the Mondops have been destroyed by the Burmese. One of the two 10 m large standing Buddha statues, the Phra Buddha Lokanart could be restored by King Rama I.. It is now in the Eastern Viharn of Wat Pho in Bangkok.
Wat Phu Khao Thong: with a chedi, which the Burmese king Bayinnaung had built after the first conquest of Ayutthaya in 1569
Wat Ratchaburana: temple built during the reign of King Chao Sam Phraya ( Borommaracha II ) with a very harmonious Prang, whose crypt is accessible ( stucco, wall paintings in the crypt ). The discovery of gold in the crypt, especially a kneeling elephant, can be admired in the Chao Phraya Sam National Museum.
Wat Suwan Dararam: royal temple from the later Ayutthaya period
Wat Yai Chai Mongkon: very old temple with a chedi from the time of King Naresuan (1590-1605)

Sons and daughters of the town

Prasat Thong, King of Ayutthaya in Thailand
Pridi Phanomyong, Prime Minister of Thailand
Rama I, King of Siam, founder of the still reigning Chakri Dynasty
Songtham, King of Ayutthaya in Thailand
Taksin, Thai King (reigned 1768-1782 )
Thawan Thamrongnawasawat, Thai politician and Prime Minister

94109