| WAT JAN 2 (วัดจันทร์) |
Wat Jan or the "Monastery of the Moon" (1) is a restored ruin located on the
city island in the Historical Park of Ayutthaya in Pratu Chai sub-district.
The temple was located on the corner of Talaeng Kaeng road and Khlong Chakrai Yai
(the northern stretch - in the vicinity of the Grand Palace - is called Khlong Pak
Tho). The monastery stood as thus near the Lam Hoei Bridge.
On the opposite side of Khlong Chakrai Yai stood Wat Khok Khamin (vanished), while
on its south was Wat Raksa (vanished). The Phra Khan shrine stood in the east.
In situ, only some brick foundations of the monastic structure remains.
The site is mentioned on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's (PBR) map drafted in 1926, but
features also on a map drafted in the mid 19th century. Wat Jan is positioned here
identical as on PBR's map, but stands at the mouth of a canal running parallel
with Talaeng Kaeng road. This canal turns after a few hundred meters into Khlong Pratu
Tha Phra (aka Khlong Klaeb). PBR does not mention this canal on his map; but aerial
pictures still show some stretches of water south of the road leading to the old distillery.
Wat Jan's historical background and period of construction are unknown.
On the PBR map the temple is called “Monastery of the Moon” (วัดจันทร์), while on the
mid-19th century map it is called “Monastery of the Gold Apple” (วัดจัน).
Footnotes:
(1) The denomination of Phraya Boran Rachathanin has here been followed.
city island in the Historical Park of Ayutthaya in Pratu Chai sub-district.
The temple was located on the corner of Talaeng Kaeng road and Khlong Chakrai Yai
(the northern stretch - in the vicinity of the Grand Palace - is called Khlong Pak
Tho). The monastery stood as thus near the Lam Hoei Bridge.
On the opposite side of Khlong Chakrai Yai stood Wat Khok Khamin (vanished), while
on its south was Wat Raksa (vanished). The Phra Khan shrine stood in the east.
In situ, only some brick foundations of the monastic structure remains.
The site is mentioned on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's (PBR) map drafted in 1926, but
features also on a map drafted in the mid 19th century. Wat Jan is positioned here
identical as on PBR's map, but stands at the mouth of a canal running parallel
with Talaeng Kaeng road. This canal turns after a few hundred meters into Khlong Pratu
Tha Phra (aka Khlong Klaeb). PBR does not mention this canal on his map; but aerial
pictures still show some stretches of water south of the road leading to the old distillery.
Wat Jan's historical background and period of construction are unknown.
On the PBR map the temple is called “Monastery of the Moon” (วัดจันทร์), while on the
mid-19th century map it is called “Monastery of the Gold Apple” (วัดจัน).
Footnotes:
(1) The denomination of Phraya Boran Rachathanin has here been followed.
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| Text & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - April 2009 Reviewed February 2011 |
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| (View from the west) |
| (View from the east) |
| (View from the east) |
| (Click button for aerial view) |