Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat is a 14th-century Buddhist monastery in central Phitsanulok, with golden spires rising above the banks of the Nan River. The compound includes several rectangular buildings with red-tile roofs, open courtyards surrounded by shaded walkways, and a tall central tower with exterior walls displaying numerous Buddha figures arranged in small niches.

King Lithai founded the monastery in 1357, when the kingdom of Sukhothai extended across much of present-day northern Thailand. Later rulers expanded the compound with additional buildings and wall paintings that still decorate the walls of the main hall today.

The central shrine houses the Phra Buddha Chinnarat statue, which draws devotees from across the country who often offer gold leaf and flowers at its base. Many visitors kneel before the image and recite quiet prayers as incense smoke drifts through the tall windows.

The compound opens early in the morning and closes in the evening, so you can visit during cooler hours or in the soft afternoon light. Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and expect to remove shoes before entering the central buildings.

A workshop on the grounds still produces bronze casts of the famous Buddha statue, with artisans continuing to use the traditional lost-wax method. Visitors can watch through a window as molten metal is poured into molds and polished into finished forms.