Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

The monastery on the south-eastern edge of Ayutthaya was founded in 1357 by King U Thong for monks returning from Ceylon. The main bell-shaped chedi, about sixty metres high, was raised by King Naresuan in 1592 to mark his victory over the Burmese crown prince in single combat on elephants. A gallery with rows of stone Buddhas in saffron robes runs around the base of the chedi, and a large reclining Buddha lies beside it. Unlike most of the ruins in the historical park, the monastery is active and monks walk about the courtyard. A steep brick staircase leads to the top of the chedi, from where the surrounding ruins come into view.

On the map