Wat Phra Meru (Phra Mehn/Mane) : Ayuthaya

Across form the old royal palace grounds is a bridge that can be crossed to arrive at Wat Phra Meru. This temple is notable because is escaped destruction from the Burmese in 1767, though it has required restoration over the years. The main bot (central sanctuary) was built in 1546 and features fortress-like walls and pillars. During the Burmese invasion, Myanmar's Chao Along Phaya chose this site from which to fire a cannon at the palace; the cannon exploded and the king was fatally injured, thus ending the sacking of Ayuthaya.

The bot interior contains an impressive carved wooden ceiling and a splendid Ayuthaya-era, crowned sitting Buddha, 6m hight. Inside a smaller wihaan behind the bot is a green-stone, European-pose(sitting in a chair) Buddha from Ceylon, said to be 1300 years old. The walls of the wihaan show traces of 18th or 19th century murals. Admission to Wat Phra Meru is 20B.