Thailand: Bangkok - A third walk thru' the "Old City"

This, my third walk within the confines of the "Old City" of Bangkok takes me from the

Saen Seap Canal to Wat Pho.

Mahakan Fort

The fort was built in 1783 during the reign of King Rama I as

a defense for the city of Bangkok. Originally the defensive walls

that surrounded the city on the landward side contained 16 gates and 17 forts.

Mahakan is one of only two remaining.....

Across from the fort is Wat Ratchanadda. Within the confines of the temple is

an unusual and unique structure - the Loha Prasat or "metal castle". Appearing almost

Burmese in design, the pagoda is, in fact, based a copy of a similar building in Sri Lanka.

Building started in the reign of King Rama III, in the early 19th century, only being completed

in the present reign.......!! In all there are 37 metal 'spires' on the structure, representing the

37 virtues that lead to enlightenment.

Metal grille at the base

The shrine on the top storey

View from the top.....

The temple of Ratchanadda is undergoing much restoration and

is rarely only open to the public. Today, I was lucky as the doors to

the Ubosot were open.....

 

Inside, a monk was extoling the virtues of the Buddha....

A monk shrine in the temple's outer courtyard.....

Leaving Wat Ratchanadda, I  follow the small canal that runs

parallel to the temple....

Ornaments hanging over the canal

Street seller preparing her Thai curry in readiness

for lunch time. She is always busy as Bangkok City Hall

is just around the corner

The unassuming City Hall with a concrete square in front.

Always reminds me of London's South Bank.....

Opposite the square is the Giant Swing.

Originally constructed in 1794, the swing is a religious

structure. The "Swing Ceremony" was one of twelve royal ceremonies

held in each of the lunar months of the Thai Lunar Calender & was based around

a Brahma epic.....

Shrine to Vishnu, close to the Swing....

From here, I head eastwards and pass Wat Ratchabopit

built during the reign of King Rama V.

I find the memorial courtyard most interesting as a great

number have a Victorian gothic-style feel to them and would not

be amiss in any churchyard in the UK.....

Also, the walls of the temple are lined with beautiful ceramic tiles:

Leaving the temple, I head towards he Khlong Kumueang Doem, the "Old City" Moat.

I decide to cross the canal by the Chang Rongsi Bridge

The Bridge is unusually wide as it was originally designed to
carry the weight of elephants to & from the rice mill nearby.
Hence the name Chang Rongsi, meaning, 'Rice mill elephant bridge'

During the reign of King Rama V, the bridge was rebuilt, being completed in 1910.
I particularly like the bridge ends:

very cute..........!



A little further down stream, I come to an unusual shrine:

The shrine dates to 1913 in commemoration of HRM Queen Sri Phatcharinthra,
the consort of King Rama V, on the occasion of her 50th birthday.

The memorial takes the form of a metal sculpture of a pig, signifying that the queen
was born in the year of the pig

 Almost opposite the shrine is the delightful Saranrom Park.

The park was originally the royal garden that formed part of the  Saranrom Palace.

Dating back to the reign of King Rama IV, the park was constructed in 1866.

 

Victorian-style bandstand

 

The park is home to several "miniature Thai houses" showing the

different aspects of Thai-style domestic architecture

The modern band-stand

I really like these loudspeaker stands, looking more

like bird cages........

Having 'cooled off' in the sanctuary of the park, I now head

towards my final destination, Wat Pho.

Passing on the way the walls of The Grand Palace

 

Wat Pho is the first grade royal temple and is adjacent to the Grand Palace.

The correct title is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan,

but is chiefly known as the temple of the Reclining Buddha.

Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok, preceeding the founding of the city.

Today, I have come to rediscover the wonderful paintings that surround the figure.

Here are just a few 'teasers':

Foot sore and weary.....I head home!!