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From
1350 to 1767, Ayutthaya served as the capital of Thailand
and as its cultural centre, until it was sacked by the
Burmese. The remains of this island city are of extreme
archaeological importance and restoration has been extensive.
Today it is a historical park and UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Chao
Sam Phraya National Museum contains many relics rescued
from the ruins including gold items buried in temples.
Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre researchesthe
period when Ayutthaya was the capital.
The
park is strewn with ruins of palaces, temples, and monuments.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the largest in its day, within
the royal palace compound. The line of three chedis,
containing the ashes of the first three kings, is in
the style now known as Ayutthayan.
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During
excavations of Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Ratburana,the
Fine Arts Department found treasure chests containing
priceless objects including gold Buddhas, jewels,
royal regalia, etc,
which are now housed in Bangkok's National
Museum.
Some
20 kilometres south of the town is Bang Pa-In
Summer Palace an old country residence that became
popular with King Chulalongkorn who
constructed many buildings in different styles.
Most picturesque is the Isawan Thippa-at Pavilion
standing in the centre of a lake.
The
Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Centre at Bang
Sai was established by HM the Queen to promote cottage
industries and train artisans in traditional arts
and crafts.Skills taught include basketry,
weaving, wood-carving, artificial flower making,
miniature doll making, etc. |
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