Sights in Lopburi
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Phra Narai Ratchaniwet
Start your tour of Lopburi at Phra Narai Ratchaniwet, a former royal palace, which is a combination of palace ruins and artefact galleries. During the reign of Ayuthaya's King Narai, Lopburi was used as a second capital. The king chose this site for his palace, which took 12 years to build between 1665 and 1677. At the time, the Ayuthaya kingdom hosted many Western envoys, and French architects contributed to the design.
Interestingly, Khmer architectural influence was still strong in central Thailand so the palace exhibits an unusual blend of Khmer and European styles. Upon the king's death in 1688, the palace was used only by King Phetracha (King Narai's successor) for …
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Prang Sam Yot
Opposite San Phra Kan, the Prang Sam Yot represents classic Khmer-Lopburi style and is Lopburi's most photographed Hindu-turned-Buddhist temple. Originally, the three towers symbolised the Hindu Trimurti of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Now two of them contain ruined Lopburi-style Buddha images. Some Khmer lintels can still be made out, and some appear unfinished.
An U Thong-Ayuthaya imitation Buddha image sits in the brick sanctuary in front of the linked towers. At the back are a couple of crudely restored images, probably once Lopburi style. The grounds allotted to Prang Sam Yot are quite small and virtually surrounded by modern buildings. The best view of the monument is …
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Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat
The Fine Arts Department has restored the large 12th-century Khmer Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, considered one of the city's oldest. During Lopburi's heyday, it was the town's largest monastery, a fact clearly shown on a map drawn by French cartographers in 1687. A tall laterite tower still stands and features a few intact lintels and some ornate stucco. There is also a large wíhaan added by King Narai. Several chedi and smaller towers dot the grounds.
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Chao Phraya Wichayen
King Narai built this Thai-European palace as a residence for foreign ambassadors. Greek diplomat and trader Constantine Phaulkon was its most famous resident. Phaulkon’s knowledge of European technology helped him gain a place in King Narai’s inner circle. However, jealous courtiers disliked his power and riches, and as Narai lay dying, Phaulkon was arrested and beheaded. The palace is across the street and northeast of Wat Sao Thong Thong.
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Chao Phraya Wichayen
King Narai built the Thai-European Chao Phraya Wichayen as a residence for foreign ambassadors, of whom the Greek Constantine Phaulkon was the most famous. Phaulkon became one of King Narai's advisers and was eventually a royal minister. He was also implicated in an attempted coup and in 1688, as Narai lay dying, Phaulkon was assassinated by Luang Sorasak, who wanted power for himself. The palace is across the street and northeast of Wat Sao Thong Thong.
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Wat San Paolo
A partial brick and stucco tower is all that's left of Wat San Paolo, a Jesuit church founded by the Portuguese during King Narai's reign. A contingent of a dozen French priests came to run the church in 1687. An octagonal, three-storey celestial observatory was also erected here, though it is unclear under whose direction it was built.
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Prang Sam Yot
This shrine is the old town’s best-known and most-photographed feature. The three linked towers originally symbolised the Hindu Trimurti of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Now two of them contain ruined Lopburi-style Buddha images. The towers are accessible and offer cool relief from the heat – and the monkeys.
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Wat Nakhon Kosa
Just along from the railway station is Wat Nakhon Kosa. Built in the 12th century, it may have originally been a Hindu shrine. The main chedi was built during the Dvararati period, while the wí·hăhn was added later by King Narai. To the rear is a collection of headless Buddha images.
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Wat Sao Thong Thong
Northwest of the palace centre, Wat Sao Thong Thong is remarkable only for its unusual Gothic-style windows, which were added by King Narai so it could be used as a Christian chapel. The grounds may have once served as a residence for Persian ambassadors.
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Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat
Opposite the train station is this 13th-century Khmer wát. Once the town’s largest monastery, it has been heavily renovated and makes for a great photo opportunity. The central Phra Prang has a bas-relief depicting the life of the Buddha.
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Prang Khaek
Situated on a triangular slice of land bordered by Th Wichayen to the north, Prang Khaek features towers with Khmer-style brickwork. The structure is thought to have originally been a temple to the Hindu god Shiva and dates back to the 11th century.
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Wat Indra
Practically nothing is known about the history of Wat Indra, which is now merely a sizable brick foundation, the curse of a forgetful history.
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