As an architect, I love a good set of ruins. The aptly named Wat Chedi Luang (temple of the Big Stupa) fits the bill perfectly. Construction was started by King Saen Muang Ma in the 14th century but remained unfinished for about 100 years. It was the largest structure in the Lanna kingdom at the time and probably presented some unique engineering challenges. The central chedi which used to house the Emerald Buddha (now at the Grand Palace in Bangkok) is about 600 years old but was largely destroyed by an earthquake in the mid 16th century. It has also been suggested that cannon fire from the king of Siam brought down the structure while trying to dislodge the Burmese from the city. The structure was mostly rebuilt but the spire was never replaced since no one knows what it originally looked like.
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Various views of the central Chedi, including the serpents guarding the southern niche where the Emerald Buddha was once located. Other buildings pictured are the chapels and maintenance work on the roof of the Ubosot.
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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Daren Willden, unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved.