Iron Temple Stunning Views

#bangkoktrip Wat Ratchanaddaram is considered one of the most unusual architectural monuments in Bangkok. The temple complex consists of several buildings, the most notable of which is Loha Prasat, which literally means "Metal Castle" in Thai. Of Thailand's more than 30,000 temples built to similar designs, Loha Prasat is the only religious structure in the kingdom topped by a series of pointed iron spires. There are 37 of them in total, according to the number of virtues that every Buddhist should practice on the path to enlightenment. Ratchanadda Temple was transformed after the reconstruction, which was completed in 2019. The black spires cast from iron turned golden. The building, which previously looked like a fairy-tale palace, has lost its identity, becoming similar to thousands of similar religious buildings with a predominance of white and gold colors in the decoration. The architecture of the Iron Castle traces the traditions of the temple architecture of Ceylon and India, the characteristic design feature of which is a square base and a multi-storey plan. The building consists of four floors, the rooms are connected by labyrinths. The perimeter of each subsequent level is smaller than the previous one, so visually the structure looks like a stepped pyramid. The height of the temple-palace is 36 m. The towers have a pyramidal shape, which can be reached by spiral stairs and passages. This type of tower structures symbolizes Meru, the sacred mountain in the cosmogonic representations of Buddhism and Hinduism, which is the axis of the world and the center of all material and spiritual universes. Gable roofs are built above the arched entrances on the first tier. There are sculptures of Buddhas in the galleries, many of them covered with sheets of finely rolled gold. The interior of the sanctuary looks ascetic. The upper part of the walls and ceiling in the prayer hall are painted with frescoes, the shutters are decorated with openwork ornaments. Wat Ratchanadda is located in the historical center of Bangkok on Rattanakosin Island, a kilometer from the Khao San tourist street. Mahakan Fort is located across the street, the temple of the Golden Mountain is located diagonally a little further away, the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall and the Democracy Monument are within walking distance.