Visit Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan & Loha Prasat (Bangkok)

The construction of Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan was commissioned in 1846 by King Rama III for his niece, Princess Somanass Waddhanawathy, but its construction was not actually completed until 2007. It was intended as a tribute to royalty and the Buddhist faith. Its most remarkable element is the Loha Prasat, literally metal castle, whose construction was inspired by two similar buildings that no longer exist in India and Sri Lanka. An architectural element found in other temples in Thailand, notably Wat Tha Sung in Uthai Thani.

Loha Prasat is a Sri Lankan-style metal building composed of 37 black spires, now gilded, representing the 37 virtues leading to enlightenment according to Buddhism. It rises seven stories and reaches a height of 36 meters, with an interior structure that allows one to navigate like a labyrinth with a spiral staircase to ascend to each level. At its summit is a sacred chamber containing a Buddha relic. From up there, you also have an interesting view of the surrounding area, even if it's much less commanding than that offered by Wat Saket, perched on its hill a little further away.