Wat Niwet Thammaprawat

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Wat Niwet Thammaprawat Ratchaworawihan (Thai: วัดนิเวศธรรมประวัติราชวรวิหาร) is a Buddhist temple (wat) of the Dhammayut Order, located within the grounds of the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace in Thailand's Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Founded in 1878, it is remarkable among Thai Buddhist temples in that its architecture mimics that of a European church, being built in the Gothic Revival style.

Wat Niwet Thammaprawat
วัดนิเวศธรรมประวัติ
Religion
AffiliationBuddhist
SectDhammayut
Location
LocationMu 12, Ban Len Subdistrict, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand
Geographic coordinates14°13′53″N 100°34′34″E / 14.23139°N 100.57611°E / 14.23139; 100.57611
Architecture
Architect(s)Joachim Grassi
StyleGothic Revival
FounderKing Chulalongkorn
Groundbreaking1876
Completed1878

History

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The construction of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1876, to serve as the royal temple for the newly expanded Bang Pa-In Palace. The temple was designed by Joachim Grassi, one of the first Italian architects employed under the king's government. Many public buildings were built in the Western style during Chulalongkorn's reign, a trend reflecting the modernisation of Siam (as Thailand was then known) at the time. Wat Niwet Thammaprawat was built in Gothic Revival style, with stained glass windows and a Gothic altar. Its appearance resembles that of a Christian church, with the temple's main Buddha image in place of a Cross. Construction was completed in 1878.[1]

Status and location

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Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is a royal temple, first-class, of the ratchaworawihan type, and is one of the sixteen temples which receive annual royal kathina offerings. It falls under the Dhammayut Order of Thai Theravada Buddhism.[2] It is a registered historic monument, and received the ASA Architectural Conservation Award in 1989.

The temple is located on an island of the Chao Phraya River, next to Bang Pa-in Royal Palace, in Ban Len Subdistrict, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. It is nowadays accessible by a cable car from the palace.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Maneenetra, Piti (31 January 2015). "The signification approach of decorative contents on Western buildings in Siamese Ornament and Decorative art revolution; A.D.1876-1896". Veridian e-Journal. 8 (4). Silpakorn University: 1–22. ISSN 1906-3431.
  2. ^ อนันต์รัตนสุข, อนงค์ (20 September 2012). "องค์ความรู้เรื่องประวัติวัดนิเวศธรรมประวัติราชวรวิหาร" (PDF) (in Thai). Ayutthaya Provincial Cultural Office. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  3. ^ "วัดนิเวศธรรมประวัติ ราชวรวิหาร จ.พระนครศรีอยุธยา". Dhammathai.org. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
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