Viharn Phra Si Sanphet

The Krung Kao chronicle: Luang Prasert Aksonnit's version indicates the year of the construction of he Viharn in 1499, the reign of King Ramathibodi II whereas the statue of Phra Si Sanphet in the viharn was cast in 1500 and were consecrated in 1503. However, other royal chronicles, for example the Phan Chantanumat (Choem)’s version, the Phra Chakkraphaddiphong (Chad)'s version and the Phra Ratchahatthalekha version stated that the viharn and the Buddha image were built in 1479 and consecrated in 1503.

The site was listed and declared an ancient monument in the Government Gazette no. 52, part 75, on 8 March 1935.

Viharn Phra Si Sanphet was erected in front of the main chedis and oriented toward the east. The ruins of viharn stands on a rectangular plan. All of its superstructure had completely collapsed. However, some parts of the walls that still stand exhibit vertical narrow outlets in place of regular windows. The outer surface of the side walls were attached with columns supporting the roof. The pedestal of Phra Si Sanphet and other minor Buddha images was installed inside. The interior of the viharn also features rows of columns as a supporting element.

This viharn (Sermon hall) was built in the reign of King Ramathibodi II or during the late 15th to early 16th century. The availability of its precise date of construction massively help in understaninding the architectural grammar of roofed building in the mid-Ayutthaya period. For example, this viharn displays a preference of a set of vertical narrow outlets over windows in the mid-Ayutthaya architecture.

สันติ เล็กสุขุม. ศิลปะอยุธยา งานช่างหลวงแห่งแผ่นดิน. กรุงเทพฯ : เมืองโบราณ, 2542.

ศิลปากร, กรม, ทะเบียนโบราณสถาน. กรุงเทพฯ : กรมศิลปากร, 2532.