Located in the heart of Ayutthaya, Wat Mahathat (Temple of the Great Relics) was considered the most important temple. The monastery which was built in 1374 was where the kingdom’s Supreme Patriarch resided.
The highlights of this temple include the huge pagoda which houses the relics of the Lord Buddha and once contained treasures. It collapsed after Thai-Burmese war. Some people believe the Burmese army took the gold, precious stones, and other valuable treasures from this pagoda while others think the looting occurred after the Burmese had left.
Tourists from around the world also come here to see the head of a sandstone Buddha image entwined in the roots of a Bodhi tree.