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Wat Rachanatdaram
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The Metal Castle
Wat Rachanatdaram Worawiharn is a royal temple located opposite the old Fort Mahakarn at the junction of Mahachai Road and Rachadamnoen Avenue. King Rama III built the temple in 1846 in honor of Queen Sommanat Vathanawadi.
The outstanding feature of this royal temple is the Loha Prasat or Metal Castle, a three-story sanctuary with 37 spires representing the 37 virtues required for enlightenment and the teachings of Buddha.
Loha Prasat went through a massive restoration in 2004 and the work is now completed.
The black spires (they were white before the restoration) are ringed in two tiers around the sanctuary,
topped by a chedi in which the relics of Buddha are kept. The
numerous sprouting spires stand out from a distance
making Loha Prasat a prominent landmark in the area.
The spires of Loha Prasat
Based on Indian and Sri Lankan architecture, Loha Prasat is believed to be one of three similar buildings in the world. The other two are in India and Sri Lanka. Contrary to its name, the Metal Castle, it's not made of metal but bricks and mortar.
The front of the wat, facing Rachadamnoen Road
has a beautiful park with an elaborate pavilion and a statue in
honor of the royal benefactor, King Rama III.
King Rama III
The garden
The park with the newly restored Metal Castle as a backdrop, makes a beautiful souvenir shot of your tour of this Bangkok legacy.
Wat Rachanatdaram is another of the royal temples built by
the early Chakri kings in Bangkok, the city of temples with the
temples of kings.
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