- Address: Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane, Vientiane 01000, Laos
- Built in the year: 1818 - 1824
The main feature of the modern capital of Laos , which emphasizes and highlights the tourists heading there is the abundance of Buddhist temples. No, Vientiane is not at all a "promised land", it is a laid-back and attractive city, captivating with its serenity. Buddhist temples only strengthen this atmosphere, making the impression even brighter. And among the total mass of religious sites, take the time to visit the real gem of these places - Wat Sisaket, also known as Wat Sisaketsata Sahatsaham.
What is interesting for Wat Sisaket for tourists?
The history of this temple originates in 1818. It was built on the initiative of King Chao Anna. At one time, he was educated at the court of Bangkok, so the architectural style of Wat Sisaket in some way acquired similarity with the classic Siamese buildings. Perhaps, it was this fact that once saved the temple from destruction during the Chao Anu uprising, while other monasteries were razed to the ground. In 1924, the French took up its restoration, ending the restoration by 1930. Wat Sisaket is rightfully considered the oldest monastery of the total number of surviving temples in Laos.
Visiting the territory of the monastery is paid, and the price of the ticket is just under $ 1, as the sign says at the entrance. However, there are no checkpoints and monitors from the staff of the monastery, too. Photography is prohibited, but, as with the purchase of tickets - no control. Wat Sisaket is a great way to get acquainted with the culture of Laos literally for pennies, while the place in itself tends to relax and have a wonderful mood.
Interior decoration
Today, with the naked eye, Wat Sisaket needs repair. But the peculiar negligence and traces of the past times only strengthen the general atmosphere in the temple, causing awe and reverence among other feelings of visitors. The monastery is surrounded by an imposing fence, which is covered with small niches on the inside. They are more than 2 thousand miniature Buddha statues made of silver and ceramics. The same sculptures of different sizes from various materials, from wood to bronze, are exposed along the shelves above the niches, and their total number is close to 300 m. Characteristically, most of these statues have typical Laotian features, and the period of their creation varies from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
The Sim (sacred hall) of the temple is surrounded by a colonnade and a terrace, and their five-tiered roof crowns them. Here it is possible to catch the very features that relate the monastery to the buildings in the Siamese style. From the inside of the wall are also littered with niches with Buddha statues. In the main room, in addition to the main one, there is another damaged sculpture of the Naga-Buddha in the Kmer style. The period of its creation dates back to the 13th century.
In addition to the sculptures, the walls of Sim are decorated with ancient, half-stained frescoes depicting episodes from the past lives of the Buddha. Some of them have never been restored, which explains the dilapidated patterns. The ceilings of the temple are decorated with floral ornaments and patterns.
According to legend, one of the Buddha statues located in Sime was cast according to the physical parameters of Chao Anna. In addition, at the altar there is a long gilded candle carved from wood, which is an original preserved since 1819.
In the territory of Wat Sisaket, there are more than 7 thousand sculptures in the form of the Buddha. There are even statues damaged during the Siamese-Laotian War in 1828.
How to get to the temple of Wat Sisaket?
The temple can be reached by taxi, tuk-tuk, or walk on foot. In addition, it is unchanged accurate on the route of most familiarized guided tours of Vientiane . From the Lao National Museum on foot, you can get there in 10 minutes.