Wat Sao Thong Thong : Lopburi
This wat is north-west of the palace centre, behind the central market. The buildings here are in pretty poor shape. The wihaan and large seated Buddha are from the Ayuthaya period; King Narai restored the wihaan (changing its windows to an incongruous but intriguing Gothic style) so it could be used as a Christian chapel. Niches along the inside walls contain Lopburi-style anga( drgon headed) Buddhas.
Labels: Lopburi
Wat Indra & Wat Racha : Lopburi
Wat Indra stands on Th Ratchadamnoen near the corner of Th Na Phra Kan. Practically nothing is known of its history and it's now merely a pile of brick rubble. Wat Racha. off Th Phra Yam Jamkat, is another pile of bricks with little known history.
Labels: Lopburi
Wat Nakhon Kosa : Lopburi
This wat is just north of the train station, near San Phra Kan. It was built by the Khmers in the 12th century and may originally have been a Hindu shrine. U Thong and Lopburi images found at the temple and now in the Lopburi National Museum are thought to have been added later. There's not much left of this wat, though the foliage growing on the brick ruins is an interesting sight. However, half-hearted attempts to restore it with modern materials and motifs detract from the overall effect. A recent excavation has uncovered a larger base below the monument.
Labels: Lopburi
Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat : LopBuri
Directly across from the train station, this large 12th century Khmer wat has been restored by the Fine Arts Department. A very tall laterite prang still stands and features a few intact lintels, as well as some ornate stucco. A large wihaan added by King Narai also displays a ruined elegance. Several
chedis (stupas) and smaller prangs dot the grounds - some almost completely restored, some a little tatty.
Labels: Lopburi
