What famous sight is at Wat Mahathat?

A Buddha head entwined in tree roots

Ayutthaya Quiz: Temple Ruins and the Buddha Head in Roots

This Ayutthaya quiz explores the ruins of the old Siamese capital north of Bangkok. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on its 1351 founding by King U Thong, its island setting among three rivers, its rise as a trading city, foreign quarters, Wat Mahathat's Buddha head in tree roots, Wat Phra Si Sanphet's three chedis, the 1767 destruction and UNESCO status.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Country
Which country is Ayutthaya in?
Founded
When was Ayutthaya founded?
Island
What surrounds the old city?
Trade
What made Ayutthaya wealthy?
Foreign
Which foreigners had quarters in the city?
Head
What famous sight is at Wat Mahathat?
Chedis
What does Wat Phra Si Sanphet have?
Fall
Which army destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767?
Size
How large was Ayutthaya around 1700?
UNESCO
When was Ayutthaya listed by UNESCO?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which country is Ayutthaya in?
Answer: Thailand
It is north of Bangkok.
Q2: When was Ayutthaya founded?
Answer: 1351
King U Thong founded it.
Q3: What surrounds the old city?
Answer: Three rivers forming an island
It is easy to defend and trade.
Q4: What made Ayutthaya wealthy?
Answer: International trade
Ships came from Asia and Europe.
Q5: Which foreigners had quarters in the city?
Answer: Portuguese, Dutch and Japanese traders
Their settlements lay outside the walls.
Q6: What famous sight is at Wat Mahathat?
Answer: A Buddha head entwined in tree roots
Visitors kneel to photograph it.
Q7: What does Wat Phra Si Sanphet have?
Answer: Three large chedis in a row
They hold royal ashes.
Q8: Which army destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767?
Answer: The Burmese army
The capital later moved south.
Q9: How large was Ayutthaya around 1700?
Answer: One of the largest cities in the world
Visitors were impressed.
Q10: When was Ayutthaya listed by UNESCO?
Answer: 1991
It is a historical park.

Ruined Temples of a Great Trading Capital

Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, was founded in 1351 by King U Thong and became the capital of the Siamese kingdom for over four centuries. The city sits on an island formed by three rivers, which made it easy to defend and ideal for trade.

Ships came from China, Japan, India, Persia and Europe, and Portuguese, Dutch and Japanese traders had their own quarters outside the walls. Around 1700, Ayutthaya was one of the largest cities in the world. In 1767 the Burmese army captured and destroyed it, and the capital later moved south.

Today Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO site since 1991, holds hundreds of ruined temples. At Wat Mahathat, a stone Buddha head is wrapped in the roots of a fig tree, and visitors kneel to photograph it respectfully. Wat Phra Si Sanphet's three great chedis stand in a row.

What This Quiz Teaches

History fans will enjoy these questions.

Who founded Ayutthaya
Where it stands
How it grew rich
What destroyed it
Which ruins stand out

Did You Know?

Bicycles are a popular way to explore the ruins.
Many Buddha statues lost their heads to looters.
Boat tours circle the island city.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram shows Khmer-style design.
Night lighting makes the ruins glow.