| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 Plan of Ayutthaya historical park | |
| Location | Ayutthaya, Thailand |
| Criteria | Cultural: iii |
| Reference | 576 |
| Inscription | 1991 (15thSession) |
| Area | 289 ha |
| Coordinates | 14°20′52″N100°33′38″E / 14.34778°N 100.56056°E /14.34778; 100.56056 |
  Location of Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand | |
Ayutthaya Historical Park (Thai:อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครศรีอยุธยา (Pronunciation)) covers the ruins of the old city ofAyutthaya,Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. The city of Ayutthaya was founded by KingRamathibodi I in 1351,[a] though it is likely to be significantly older, based on evidence showing that the area was already populated during theMonDvaravati period. Sources further mention that around 850 AD, theKhmers occupied the area and established a stronghold there, naming itAyodhya, after one of the holiest Hindu cities in India of the same name. The early history of Ayutthaya is connected to this Khmer settlement.[1][2] Additionally,Prince Damrong has also attested to the existence of a city named Ayodhya, founded by the Khmers ruling fromLopburi at the point where the three rivers meet.[3] An excavation map shows traces of an ancientbaray (water reservoir) close to the southwestern tip ofWat Yai Chai Mongkhon, which could have been built on a former important Khmer temple complex.[4]
The city was captured by theBurmese in 1569. Though not pillaged, it lost "many valuable and artistic objects."[5]: 42–43 It was the capital of the country until its destruction by the Burmese army in 1767.[6]
In 1969, theFine Arts Department of Thailand began renovations of the ruins, scaling up the project after the site was declared ahistorical park in 1976. Part of the park was declared aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site in 1991.[7]
a The city was founded on Friday, the 6th day of the waxing moon of the 5th month, 1893Buddhist Era, corresponding to Friday, 4 March 1351Common Era, according to the calculation of theFine Arts Department of Thailand.[8]
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Geographic data related toAyutthaya Historical Park atOpenStreetMap14°21′N100°35′E / 14.350°N 100.583°E /14.350; 100.583
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