The gold room
Treasures from Wat Ratchaburana's crypt.
Iudexvivorum — CC0 · Artanisen (photo). Sword made in the 15th century by unknown bladesmith. — CC BY 4.0 · Iudexvivorum — CC0 · Iudexvivorum — CC0
Ayutthaya's most important museum, holding treasures found in the city's ruins, named after Prince Chao Sam Phraya, that is King Borommarachathirat II, builder of Wat Ratchaburana. It opened in the 1960s, partly funded by the sale of votive tablets found in the temples. Its great prize is the gold room, displaying the treasures found in Wat Ratchaburana's crypt in 1957: royal gold regalia, a sword, a crown, vessels and fine miniatures, and relics from Wat Mahathat. Other galleries hold huge bronze and stone Buddha heads, woodcarving and ceramics telling the art of the Ayutthaya kingdom and those before it. Foreigners pay about two hundred baht; it opens Wednesday to Sunday from nine to four and closes on Mondays and Tuesdays. It is largely air-conditioned and comfortable at midday. Make it a break from the heat between temple visits, ideally after seeing Wat Ratchaburana so you connect the gold with where it was found. One to two hours is enough.
Treasures from Wat Ratchaburana's crypt.
Bronze and stone images.
Between temple visits.
Rotchana Road, south of the historical park
Wat Phra Si SanphetAyutthaya's most important and most photographed temple: it was the royal temple9 minutes walk
Wat Mahathat (Buddha Head in the Tree Roots)One of Ayutthaya's most important ruins; Ayutthaya was the capital of the Siames11 minutes walk
Wat RatchaburanaA temple built by King Borommarachathirat II in 1424 on the cremation site of hi13 minutes walk
Wat Lokaya Sutha (Reclining Buddha)A huge open-air reclining Buddha, about forty-two metres long, built of brick an14 minutes walkFor history lovers, yes: the gold room is dazzling and explains what you see in the ruins. If you only want the temples, you can skip it.