A Buddha statue at the back of Wat Mahathat, with the remains of the main stupa in the background.

Wat Mahathat

One of the most important temples in Ayutthaya, Wat Mahathat is also famous for the tree that has grown around a sculpture of Buddha's head.

Wat Mahathat is one of the largest temples at Ayutthaya and would have been used by the king and senior officials. – © Michael Turtle

Many parts of the temple haven't been restored and trees have even grown within the bricks of some building remains. – © Michael Turtle

Most of the bricks used to build Wat Mahathat are clay, although some laterite bricks were used in the central prang. – © Michael Turtle

Wat Mahathat is one of the largest temples at Ayutthaya and would have been used by the king and senior officials. – © Michael Turtle

Wat Mahathat was built on the edge of Ayutthaya's Royal Palace and would've been one of the capital's most important temples, used by kings and other senior officials. It's here that Buddha's relics would've been housed, along with other important treasures of the kingdom. And important royal ceremonies and celebrations would've been held at the temple.

Where the main road is today, there once would have been a canal that brought worshippers by boat. From this entrance, a beautifully decorated pathway led through the centre of the temple complex, to a staircase with railings resembling the mythical serpent-like naga, and up to the central prang.

The prang, once about 50 metres high, has been destroyed twice – most recently in the early 1900s – and has only been partially restored. In 1956, archaeologists discovered a hollow stone pillar within the prang that contained a small stupa with relics, gold and bronze artefacts, and other treasures (which can now be seen in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum).

Wat Mahathat's main stupa has been only partially restored and is nowhere near its original height of about 50 metres. – © Michael Turtle

In the southeast corner of the temple complex, you'll find one of the most iconic images at Wat Mahathat (and possibly in all of Ayutthaya). The head of a Buddha statue that was placed here decades ago appears to be embraced by the roots of a tree, which are entwined around it.

The head of a Buddha statue surrounded by the roots of a tree is one of Ayutthaya's most iconic images. – © Michael Turtle

Wat Mahathat was renovated several times during the period of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and there are some examples of early Ayutthaya art around the main prang. However, much of what you're able to see is from the later Ayutthaya period, including the stupa at the rear of the site, which features lotus leaves at the bottom of the bell shape.