Ayuthia

Ayuthia, the ancient capital of Siam, stands on the Menam, 50 miles N. of Bangkok. It was founded in 1357, and was the capital until 1767, when it was sacked and half destroyed by the Burmese. In the 16th century it was three leagues in circumference, and was till recently the second city of the kingdom. It is now called Krung-Krao, and is mainly built in piles over the water. Some magnificent buildings still remain, now crumbling into ruins and overgrown with luxuriant vegetation; notable amongst them are Buddhist temples, especially the 'Golden Mount,' 400 feet high.