The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the historic city of Ayutthaya in Thailand as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1991.
Located 76 kilometers north of the capital Bangkok, the historic city of Ayutthaya spans an extensive area of over 289 hectares. It is truly a great city and one of the most captivating historical sites in Thailand. At the same time, Ayutthaya is also one of the most attractive cultural heritage sites in Thailand, showcasing the splendor of four centuries of history through hundreds of architectural works, primarily made of red brick.
Ayutthaya was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in December 1991. The splendor of the ancient city is reflected through many magnificent architectural works and ruins, most of which are built from bare red bricks, scattered across a land surrounded by three rivers: the Chao Phraya, Lop Buri, and Pa Sak. Perhaps this is why Ayutthaya is etched in the memories of many tourists as an oasis of temples by the river.
The history of Thailand is divided into several periods: Sukhothai (1238-1438), Ayutthaya – which absorbed the essence of Sukhothai culture and thrived for over 400 years from 1350 to 1767, Thon Bori (1767-1782), and Rattanakosin (1782 to present). The ancient city of Ayutthaya, also known as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, was the capital of Thailand for 417 years.
The ancient city was established in 1350 by King U-thong, and it was occupied and devastated by Burmese forces in 1767, marking the end of the Ayutthaya period. A total of 33 kings ruled the dynasty and transformed Ayutthaya into a brilliant capital in the past. Ayutthaya once had a highly developed agricultural sector and thriving trade relations with Eastern and Western countries.
Throughout its history, the dynasty constantly faced invasions from neighboring countries, especially Burma. In 1758, the country was shaken by a royal power struggle, leading to a disastrous defeat in the war against the Burmese in 1767. The Burmese army, during their invasion of the capital, ordered the burning and destruction of many magnificent architectural works of the Ayutthaya dynasty. The remaining ruins in the ancient city have formed what is now the Ayutthaya Historical Park.
The site features a diverse array of structures, relatively intact, such as the Wat Phra Chao Phya-thai monastery located in the southeast of the ancient city. From within the city, one can see the large stupa of the monastery built in 1357 for monks returning from studies in Sri Lanka. In 1592, a large temple was constructed here with the architectural vision that it would match the grandeur of the Wat Pukhao Thong temple (built during the earlier Sukhothai era). The architectural complex of Wat Yai Chaimongkhon includes a monastery, stupa, and temples, featuring the largest stupa and two colossal Buddha statues beneath centuries-old frangipani trees.
The archaeological site has many groups of temples and stupas, each symbolizing a microcosm with a sacred mountain at the center representing the “cosmic axis”, with walls symbolizing the limits of the universe and the endless ocean… The largest stupa in the complex stands 35 meters high, with steep staircases on all four sides leading to the top. From the corridor surrounding the largest stupa, one can observe a vast space bathed in sunlight extending to the horizon and the entire ancient city. Eight smaller stupas are located at the four corners of the square and the four corners of the rectangle, connected by long corridors. Along these corridors are 120 Buddha statues in silent postures. Most of the sandstone statues have lost their heads due to destruction during the wars with Myanmar in the mid-18th century. Observing and taking pictures beside these statues is a very impressive moment, leaving indelible emotions for many tourists.
The capital Ayutthaya is also known as the “city of ruins” due to the hundreds of walls, towers, and collapsed temples that remain partially or are completely destroyed, leaving only their foundations… all of which are carefully preserved. Some structures have been partially restored using new materials, but this does not cause any unpleasantness as they have been meticulously restored down to the smallest detail. Some other temples have been almost completely rebuilt, including the colossal Buddha statues. But all harmoniously blend with each other and with the surrounding natural landscape. It is known that restoration work here has been carried out for decades, with many generations of scientists patiently recovering every piece of what time has taken away.
Ayutthaya is also regarded as a Cultural Heritage Park with lush greenery from ancient trees and smooth grass interspersed among the architectural ruins, a fresh and tranquil atmosphere, with clean streets leading to the historical site. Ayutthaya is also dubbed an oasis of temples along the Chao Phraya River.
Today, the historic city of Ayutthaya is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Thailand. People come here not only to visit a cultural heritage site but also to seek Buddhism, the connection between the present and the past, and to find peace and tranquility within their souls.
