Central Zone
The central zone of the Si Satchanalai Historical Park, an area on the South bank of the Yom river, contains the ruins of monuments built in the ancient town of Si Satchanalai.
The rectangular area enclosed by moats and town walls with fortresses houses some of the most impressive and best preserved temples of the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. It also housed the Royal Palace, of which virtually nothing remains today.
Part of the central zone is hilly and forested. Several hilltop temples, such as the Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng and Wat Khao Suwan Khiri provide views of the ancient town.
Temples from various eras
The area houses monuments from several eras and architectural styles, including Khmer (prasat of the Wat Lak Muang), Sukhothai (lotus bud chedi at Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, elephant encircled chedi at Wat Chang Lom) and Ayutthaya (floral motifs on the walls of the Wat Nang Phaya’s viharn). Most monuments were constructed during the Sukhothai era, between the 13th and 15th century.
All temples are dedicated to the Buddha. The only exception is the mandapa of the Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng locally known as the Chao Mae La Ong Sam Lee shrine, which is dedicated to a local Goddess. The central zone also houses the tourist information center, where visitors receive a map of the area.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace was located near the East town wall and the Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Noi. During excavations foundations of a large brick building surrounded by water and earthen ramparts were discovered, as well as fragments of ceramic roof tiles. Today virtually nothing remains of the old Palace.
Important temples of the central zone
The central zone houses some of the best known and best preserved temples such as the Wat Chang Lom, Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng and Wat Nang Phaya.
Other temples
The central zone houses a number of smaller and less known monuments, in various states of preservation.
Wat Lak Muang
The Wat Lak Muang is a small temple near the Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Yai. Its name translates to “town post temple”. The Wat Lak Muang comprises of a viharn, a mandapa and a Khmer style prasat with 20 indented corners. The small mandapa with an arched entrance is connected to the viharn, of which little more than the base remains. Both the mandapa and prasat are well preserved.
Wat Khao Suwan Khiri
The Wat Khao Suwan Khiri is located on top of a forested hill in the South West section of the town. Its main attraction is a large well preserved bell shaped Ceylonese style chedi standing on a base of four square receding tiers and a single octagonal tier. The bell is topped with a square disc called amalaka and a tapering finial. In front of the chedi are the remains of the large principal viharn. Other structures on the grounds include a subordinate chedi enclosed by its own walls and another smaller viharn.
Wat Udom Pha Sak
Near the East town wall are the remains of the Wat Udom Pha Sak, a small temple oriented South East. An elevated base and the lower part of the columns that supported the roof remain of the viharn. To the back is the pedestal that once supported the principal Buddha image. To one of its sides is a raised platform where the monks sat. Behind the viharn enclosed by a boundary wall stands the main chedi which has collapsed, surrounded by subordinate chedis.
Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Yai
The Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Yai is located between the Wat Nang Phaya and the Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo. The temple’s rectangular area enclosed by a wall of laterite blocks contains a chedi and the remains of a viharn. The laterite Ceylonese style chedi has collapsed. In front of it is a large viharn, of which little more remains than the base and the columns that supported the roof, as well as a pedestal that supported the principal Buddha image.
Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Noi
This temple is located near the Royal Palace, of which virtually nothing remains. Its principal Sukhothai style lotus bud chedi stands on a base of receding square tiers. Surrounding it are 13 subordinate Khmer prasat style chedis. The principal and subordinate chedis are enclosed by their own wall. Behind the wall are three more subordinate chedis; a bell shaped chedi flanked by two prasat style chedis. On the other side sharing a platform are the viharn and a well preserved mondop with an arched entrance facing the viharn.
Monument No. 23
Monument No. 23 is a partly restored temple oriented Northeast. Its founding date is unknown. The small temple comprises of a viharn, a mandapa that used to enshrine an image of the Buddha and a chedi.
Town walls, gates & fortresses
Ancient Si Satchanalai town was enclosed by laterite walls measuring 3,500 meters long. Access to the town was provided by six gates of which four had a fortress. In front of the wall were earthen walls and moats.
Starting from the visitor center the gates are (in a clockwise direction): Don Laem gate (near the Northeast corner), Ramnarong gate (near the South East corner), Saphan Chan gate (South wall), Chanasongkhram gate (near the South West corner), Chaiyaphruk gate (near the South West corner) and Tao Mo gate (near the North West corner). The first four gates were fortified.
Temples in the Central Zone
Some of the temples in this zone are: