Wat Ratchanatdaram
sanctuary in the Metal Castle

Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawiharn is a royal temple located opposite the old Fort Mahakarn at the junction of Mahachai Road and Ratchadamnoen Klang (central) 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 37 spires of Loha Prasat

The front of the wat, facing Ratchadamnoen Road has a beautiful park with an elaborate pavilion and a statue in honor of the royal benefactor, King Rama III. 

The park with the newly restored Metal Castle as a backdrop, makes a beautiful souvenir shot of your tour of this Bangkok legacy.

This is another of the royal temples built by the early Chakri kings in Bangkok, the city of temples with the temples of kings.

View Map of the Fort Mahakarn intersection in a larger map

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The locations of this temple, Wat Thepthidaram and Wat Saket are presented in one map as these three royal temples are in close proximity to one another.

These three temples are located near at the busy Fort Mahakarn junction where Central Ratchadamneon Avenue fans out into multiple roads.

Prominent landmarks at this junction are Wat Saket, the temple on the golden mount, Fort Mahakarn at the foot of the mount and the black spires of Loha Prasart.

You can’t miss them all.

Wat Ratchanatdaram is near the junction just behind the park opposite Fort Mahakarn. The Metal Castle can be seen from the main road.

While you are there, visit Wat Thepthidaram, Wat Saket, King Rama VII Museum and old Fort Mahakarn which are within walking distance.

How to get there 

Air-conditioned bus services no 79 from the Ratchaprasong junction – Central World Plaza – Pratunam (in front of Grand Diamond Pratunam Hotel) goes to Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Get off when you see the spires of the temple on the golden mount, Fort Mahakarn or the spires of Loha Prasart.

To return to Bangkok Temples.

My Journey through Thailand Part I The First Steps

This is my second e-book and the first in the series of travel journals on my trips to explore the various provinces in Thailand. This edition, which covers my travels from late 2009 to mid-2013, will guide you to historical sites, cultural monuments and exquisite Thai handicraft, across a vast spectrum of cultural and ethnic diversity.

You can have a virtual tour with this e-guide book or take the first steps yourself in this journey through Thailand.

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