Loha Prasat

Loha Prasat was first constructed in 1851 AD. By the end of the reign of King Rama III, only the rough-hewn structure was done and there was no evidence showing the continue work during the latter reign until Phra Prasidhisudkun (Daeng Khemtatto), the abbot requested for the royal permission from King Rama V to restore and complete the construction.

Loha Prasat was listed and declared an ancient monument in the Government Gazette, no.66 section 64 on 22 November 1949.

The 1963 restoration of Loha Prasat, all of dilapidated parts were removed and the reinforced concrete had been used since then. Doors and windows were new made and attached transparent glasses.

The 1996 restoration of Loha Prasat started with the central mondop’s spire. The rood materials were changed into metallic and antique copper elements.

Loha Prasat is three-storey brick and stucco building in a square plan with 37 metallic spires. It was drilled as niches from the foundation to the top. The main core used a large high log, whose trunk was punctured into a spiral staircase leading to the upstairs. Later, Loha Prasat was restored by using reinforced concrete.

Loha Prasat or Metal Castle means prasat-types building which has a metal spire. The importance of this kind of architecture can be found in the bibliography of Lord Buddha, when Visakha Maha Upasika built the first Loha Prasat called “Migarmaduprasat” as monks’ living quarter. Later, when Buddhism reached to Sri Lanka, the second Loha Prasat was built, whose only pillars were left nowadays. The third Loha Prasat was built by the order of King Rama III to be a main pagoda of the temple, where is located in the west of Phra Ubosot. This building is the first and only Loha-Prasat-styled pagoda of Thailand.

ศักดิ์ชัย สายสิงห์. งานช่างสมัยพระนั่งเกล้า.กรุงเทพฯ : มติชน, 2551.

ศิลปากร, กรม. โลหะปราสาท วัดราชนัดดาราม. กรุงเทพฯ : กองวรรณคดีและประวัติศาสตร์, 2538.