Wat Ratchaburana

Wat Ratchaburana is a historic temple in the Ayutthaya historic area of central Thailand, founded in the early 15th century. It is known for its tall central prang and surviving stucco decoration, characteristic of Ayutthaya-period temple architecture.

The principal features are the central prang and its interior crypt, which once held funerary deposits and carved Buddha images; restoration work has exposed fresco fragments and decorative stucco. The site is part of the Ayutthaya group of monuments visited for their historical architecture and archaeological remains.

The temple was established in 1424 by the Ayutthaya king Borommarachathirat II as a royal foundation and memorial. Over the centuries the complex suffered damage during conflicts and later underwent conservation and archaeological investigation.

Wat Ratchaburana stands within the Ayutthaya historical park area, on the island that formed the old capital of Ayutthaya, approximately 80 kilometres north of Bangkok in central Thailand.

• Memorial temple and crypt: Founded as a memorial temple in the early 15th century, the site contains a central prang and a restored crypt with archaeological finds.

What to See #

• Central prang: The central prang is the temple's dominant tower, richly decorated with stucco and containing relic and burial chambers originally.
• Burial crypt: A subterranean crypt beneath the main prang contained funerary deposits and once held carved Buddha images and goldwork recovered and conserved by archaeologists.