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Chiang Saen, located on the "Golden Triangle"
where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet, was once an important
city in the Lanna Kingdom. The Lanna embraced
Buddhism, and their beliefs are reflected in the religious
structures erected during the kingdom's reign. Majestic
temples, chedis (also called stupas or
pagodas) and shrines, as well as magnificent Buddha
images were constructed to honour the great Buddha.
Sadly, many of these buildings and sculptures have suffered
from years of neglect. The city, which covers about
200 hectares, contains approximately 35 temples, the
majority of which are covered in vegetation and close
to collapse. The old city walls that surrounded Chiang
Saen have all but ceased to exist. These once mighty
fortifications that protected the city are now reduced
to rubble and, in turn, in need of protection.
The Lanna Kingdom was established by King Mengrai
(AD 1259-1317). His grandson, King Saen Pu, founded
the city of Chiang Saen in 1328. For 200 years the
Lanna Kingdom flourished, becoming a centre for literature
and the arts, reaching its zenith in the middle of
the 15th century. Its capital was located at Chiang
Mai, but Chiang Saen, just northeast of the capital,
remained an important and powerful city. In 1558 Chiang
Saen was captured by the Burmese who retained control
of the city until King Rama I of Siam seized control
in 1804, ordering it burnt to the ground.
ARCHITECTURE
The brick wats (temples) of Chiang Saen survived
the Siamese invasion. These religious monuments offer
an impressive display of the architectural and artistic
achievements of the Chiang Saen citizens. Wat Pa
Sak, built in 1295 by, then Prince, Saen Pu, is
one of the oldest temples in Chiang Saen. The temple
grounds, which cover 6.5 hectares of land, contain 22
historic remains. The main bell-shaped chedi, considered
to be the most beautiful of the Lanna style, has five
tapering spires.
Wat Chedi Luang was constructed about the
same time. This temple houses the largest chedi in
Chiang Saen, standing 59 metres high. The chedi rests
on an octagonal base and was made of brick plastered
with stucco, with traces of bronze covering still
visible on the spire. Wat Phra That Chom Kitti
stands on a small hill just outside the northeast
corner of the city walls. The temple is accessible
by 383 steps leading up the hill. Wat Phra That
Ngao was recently moved to its present location.
Originally the temple stood on the banks of the river
and was subject to constant erosion from the tides.
The townspeople decided to relocate the temple further
inland, on the site of an ancient, long-deserted temple.
While clearing the forest a huge Buddha image was
found, which was slated for recovery and restoration.
Digging continued, and a magnificent, even older Buddha
image was uncovered. The image, made of limestone
and then gilded, had been deliberately buried, the
reasons for which are still unclear.
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