Phra Prang Sam Yot
Location: Amphoe Muang
Located on Vichayen Road, approximately 200 meters from the railway station, Phra Prang Sam Yot is
Lop Buris best known landmark and provincial symbol. A former Hindu Shrine built in the 13th century
in the classic Bayon style of Khmer architecture, the compound comprises three prangs (towers)
linked by a corridor. The three laterite and sandstone spires decorated with classic stucco
are believed to have originally represented the Hindu Trimurti; Brahman (the creator),
Vishnu (the preserver) and Siva (the destroyer). During the reign of King Narai,
the shrine was converted into a Buddhist temple when a brick viharn located to
the east which houses a grand U-Thong-Ayutthaya style Buddha image was probably built.
Buddha images were later added to the two prangs.
The temple is open at 8.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m.
Location: Amphoe Muang
The Vichayen House was built at the royal command of King Narai the Great.
It initially served as a residence of Chevalier de Chaumont, the first French
ambassador to Thailand during the reign of King Louis XIV. Later on,
it was occupied by the Greek, Constantine Phaulkon, who later became
King Narais advisor and was granted the position of royal minister
Chao Phraya Vichayen. Located just 300 meters from Prang Khaek,
the compound has many interesting visible ruins including the Roman
Catholic Chapel, a hall of residence for ambassador and mission members,
brick water tanks and fountains.
San Phra Kan
Location: Amphoe Muang
Another former Brahman Shrine located next to Wat Phra Prang Sam Yot,
across the railway station, is San Phra Kan. The compound is comprised
of both old and new sections. The former can be dated back to the Khmer period,
as attested by the laterite mound that was found. The new section, constructed in 1951,
contains a famous object of worship a four-armed Vishnu figure fixed with
a Buddha’s head. Located nearby is a guardian house in which various Buddha
and Hindu images are enshrined. A troop of monkeys begging for food usually
surrounds the Shrine. Sometimes, they can become offensive to visitors,
especially those giving out food for their photographs.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Kraison Siharat Hall is commonly known as Phra Thinang Yen or Thale Chup Son Hall, 4 kilometres from the centre of town.
This hall is another residence of King Narai the Great. The hall is located on an island surrounded by Thale Chup Son,
which was once a large reservoir surrounded with a dam made of stone and cement. King Narai the Great commanded its
construction for relaxation. According to the French chronicle, when King Narai the Great hunted elephants in
the east mountain, he would return and stay at this hall. The period of its construction was unknown. However,
he also welcomed his honourable guests from France at this hall. Therefore, it must have been constructed prior to 1685.
Location: Amphoe Muang
The Statue of King Narai the Great is located near the town entrance.
It was built to honor King Narai the Great in forging ahead technological development,
foreign relations and prosperity to Lop Buri and the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
He was the first monarch to bring modern technology into use such as
the use of terra-cotta pipes and construction of celestial observatory.
He is also remembered for his neo-foreign policy as he established close
diplomatic ties with the European powers.
Location: Amphoe Muang
The palace was built in 1665 and 1677, when King Narai the Great decided to
make Lop Buri the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Although the buildings
were designed by with the contributions of French architects, the Khmer influence
was still strong. The Palace was a perfect blend of the both world, an awesome
mixture of Khmer-European styles.
Structures built during the reign of King Narai the Great include:
Location: Amphoe Muang
originally the royal residence of King Narai, in 1665, the pavilion was
subsequently used as an audience hall after the king moved his residence
to the Sutha Sawan Pavilion. Architecturally, the building in purely Thai
style, indicating that no French architects were involved in its construction.
The building was restored in 1863 by King Mongkut, and now serves as a hall
for displaying archaeological and are objects. Many Lopburi-style stone
Buddha Images are kept in the building.
Location: Amphoe Muang
This compound was built as a place to store royal treasures and royal goods
sold to foreign merchants during the late 1600s. It is commonly known as the Twelve Treasure Houses.
Location: Amphoe Muang
This compound is located close to the wall separating the outer and middle sections of the Palace.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Constructed during the reign of King Narai the Great, the reservoir stored water which came
from a freshwater lake Tale Chupsorn, through the well designed terra cotta pipes.
Tale Chupsorn was the main lake supplying drinking water to Lop Buri residents.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Constructed under the royal command of King Narai the Great, the Hall was formerly used by King Narai
as an audience hall receiving high-ranking foreign ambassadors. This was the place where the King
received Chevalier de Chaumont, the representative of King Louis XIV of France. The Hall was built
in a perfect blending of French and Thai architectural styles.
Location: Amphoe Muang
It was this residence that Narai the Great
died on July 11,1688, while the palace was under the control of royal revolutionaries.
Ruins of artificial hills and fountains remain. It was recorded that the
pavilion originally stood amid a beautiful garden that contained many fountains.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Built by King Narai the Great, the building is located to the south of the outer section of the palace.
Serving as the Kings private audience hall, the building featured Thai-style architecture of which it
is currently possible to see only the remains of wall sections with visible decorative motifs at the doors and windows.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Surrounded on three sides by ponds, the Hall was built to entertain important foreign visitors.
One of the remains includes a brick platform facing the Hall, which was used as a stage or theater
possibly for shadow plays or dances indicating that the place was once used as an entertainment compound.
Location: Amphoe Muang
The three-storied building was used by King
Mongkut as his residence during the renovation of the palace. Three other
two-storied buildings, namely the Sutthi Winitchai Pavilion, the Chai Sattrakorn
Pavilion and the Aksorn Sattrakhom, are connected to the Phiman Monkut Pavilion.
The three buildings are offices of the Lopburi.
Location: Amphoe Muang
A group of eight two-story buildings built behind King Mongkut's residence (Phiman Mongkut Pavilion),
which were used as residences for inner court officials.
• Royal Guards Residence
Location: Amphoe Muang
This is located at the entrance of the middle court.
Wat Sao Thong Thong
Location: Amphoe Muang
Situated on Rue de France, to the north of Phra Narai Ratchaniwet, this western style viharn
was believed to have originally been built by King Narai the Great as a church for Christian envoys.
It was subsequently restored by King Narai the Great, who ordered the replacement of
Thai windows with Western-style windows with Gothic-designs in the secondary chapel.
Later on, the viharn was converted into a Buddhist temple. It contains a large seated Ayutthaya-style Buddha image.
In addition, assorted Lop-Buri style Buddha images can be found on the surrounding walls.
Location: Amphoe Ban Mi
Covering an area of 30 rai,
Wat Khao Wongkhot is situated approximately 4 kilometers from Ban Mi city.
The temple is built in the middle of three mountains with the Reclining
Buddha enshrined at the foot of Sanam Daeng Mountain. Visitors are encouraged
to stop at a pavilion which keeps the un-deteriorated body of Charoen Ditsawanno
venerable Bhikku, former abbot of Wat Khao Wongkot who passed away in 1963.
Within the compound of Wat Khao Wongkhot is a bat cave which is considered
to be the largest in Lop Buri. With millions of bats inhabiting the cave,
the temple receives substantial revenues from the sale of bat dung. The
bats will fly out of the cave at 6 p.m. to seek food. It takes up to 2 hours
to empty the cave.
Location: Amphoe Muang
A Jesuit Church founded by the Portuguese during the reign of King Narai the Great,
Wat San Paulo is situated approximately 3 kilometers east of town, off of Ramdaecho Road.
The word San Paulo was probably dubbed by Thais especially when they pronounced Saint Paul
or Saint Paulo in Thai style. Visible in the site are the remains of a brick wall
and stucco tower, as well as an octagonal, 3-story, observatory.
Location: Amphoe Tha Wung
Located on the bank of Maenam Bang Kham in Tha Wung District, approximately 24 kilometers from town,
the Ayutthaya-period temple is famous for its chapel. Decorated with stucco in various designs
showcasing Buddhas previous life and his first sermon after attaining enlightenment,
the chapel illustrates extraordinary Thai craftsmanship which is truly exquisite.
There is also the Phra Si Ari Buddha image which local people have worshipped for generations.
Location: Amphoe Chai Badan
This temple is located 38 kilometers from
Chai Badan District. There are 19 caves naturally decorated with stalactites
and stalagmites in the environs of the mountainous temple. Recommended caves
to visit include Tham Yai, Tham Chedi, Tham Phet, Tham Ram Wong, Tham Singto,
and etc.
Wat Nakhon Kosa
Location: Amphoe Muang
Located north of the railway station near San Phra Kan is Wat Nakhon Kosa which may have originally been
a Hindu Shrine as the temple was built in 1157 by the Khmers.
Later on, U-Thong style cement Buddha images were added on the prangs.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Built during the reign of King Mongkut, the temple was originally called Wat Ko Kaew as
it was located on a small island. Remains found in the compound include the Chedi
Luang Pho Saeng, the ubosot, the viharn and a large Buddha image situated along the riverside.
Wat Phra Si Maha That
Location: Amphoe Muang
The oldest temple with tallest Prang in Lop Buri, Wat Phra Si Maha That is located behind the railway station near
the San Phra Kan. The Lop-Buri style prang in front of the temple was built around 1157 when the town came under Khmer rule.
The U-Thong style Buddha images on the prang and the large viharn were later added by King Narai the Great.
The laterite prang still has some original lintels and stucco work intact. A number of other chedis
and prangs - most of which were restored were greatly influenced by both the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya styles.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Located at the foot of Wong Phrachan Mountain in Tambon Hoei Pong, Khok Samrong District,
some 28 km from Lopburi city on highway No.1 (Phaholyothin Rd.) and turn right at K.M. 178
for another 5 km. It is the highest Mountain of Lopburi, 652 meters above sea level,
surrounded by an atmosphere of shady trees and beautiful views of nature and Lopburi city.
Location: Amphoe Ban Mi
The canal side temple located on the
west bank of Bang Kham canal, Wat Thammikaram was formerly known as Wat
Khang Khao (Bat Temple). This was due to the fact that many thousands of
bats used to live there. Visitors to this temple usually marvel at its notable
murals which can be dated from the mid 1800s.
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