Temples
In Si Satchanalai Historical Park
The Si Satchanalai Historical Park contains the ruins of dozens of temples of the ancient town of Si Satchanalai, an important town during the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras. The monuments built between the 13th and the 15th century are in various states of preservation. Excavations and restorations have been performed by the Thai Fine Arts Department.
Zones of the Si Satchanalai Historical Park
The ruins of the ancient town of Si Satchanalai are spread out across several zones.
The central zone within the town walls South of the Yom river contains some of the best known and best preserved monuments such as the Wat Chang Lom and the Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo.
The Chaliang zone a few kilometers to the East was established as an outpost of the Khmer empire before the founding of Sukhothai. The small zone contains monuments from several eras and of various architectural styles, including some of the oldest temples of the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. Its most impressive monument is the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat with its large, well preserved prang.
The North and South zones contain several dozens of monuments in various states of preservation, including a number of hilltop temples. A few kilometers North of the old town are several sites where hundreds of kilns were excavated where the famous glazed ceramic Sangkhalok wares were produced.
Architectural styles in Si Satchanalai Historical Park
The park contains examples of various styles and influences, including Mon Dvaravati, Khmer, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.
Sukhothai style
Most monuments in the central zone date to the Sukhothai era. Typical examples of Sukhothai style are the elephant encircled chedi of the Wat Chang Lom, the lotus bud chedis of the Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo and the walking and standing Buddha images in the viharn of the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Chaliang.
Khmer style
The early 13th century prang of the Wat Chao Chan is typical Khmer architecture, as is the prasat of the Wat Lak Muang in the central zone.
Ayutthaya style
The corncob shape prang of the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Chaliang and the stuccoed floral motifs on the exterior wall of the Wat Nang Phaya date back to the Ayutthaya era.
Mon Dvaravati style
One of the oldest structures in the park, the large laterite Phra That Mutao chedi of the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Chaliang is believed to be of Mon Dvaravati origin.
Temples in the Si Satchanalai Historical Park
Some of the temples are: