Wat Phra Si Sanphet, “the temple of the Buddha Si Sanphet” was the most important temple in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Being part of the Royal Palace complex, the very large monastery with dozens of structures was used by Ayutthaya Kings only; it was a Royal temple without resident monks.
In its heydays mid 17th century the temple consisted of a raised platform supporting three very large gilded bell shaped stupas and three gilded mondops, an enormous viharn enshrining a 16 meter tall gilded Buddha image, as well as dozens of smaller chedis and chapels.
The monastery’s main structures are aligned East West. At the center of the Wat Phra Si Sanphet are three large bell shaped stupas (chedis) standing on an elevated platform. Next to each chedi stood a square mondop with a pyramidal roof.