Continuation of this stroll in Vientiane as I arrive at the survivor of the Siamese “massacre”, the Vat Sisaket (The Laotians use a transcription with a V, in Thailand it is Wat, in both cases it means temple).
Vat Sisaket
Renovated by the French, fortunately the temple escaped the flames, because when the city was sacked in 1828 the temple was only 10 years old and it is rather nicely decorated, it would have been a shame to lose it. This one has a cloister with thousands of niches each containing 2 small Buddha statuettes, it also has a small Burmese style library.
The temple is also known for its wall paintings inside, as is often the case in this case, photography is prohibited inside the building.
There is an entrance fee, but it is only 5000 kips (less than 50 euro cents).
One of the superbly carved doors.
A visiting monk, the color of the "robe" is much more in red tones compared to the saffron of the Thai monks.
The main building with the murals inside.
Wat Phra Kaeo
Almost opposite is Wat Phra Kaew (also spelled Kaew in English)
The entrance is also paid (same price as Sisaket if I'm not mistaken), if the name reminds you of something it's all the more normal if you have already been to Thailand, in fact the name is the same as several temples (one in Chiang Rai, another in Bangkok) whose particularity is to have had under its roof the famous Emerald Buddha, today in Bangkok in the Wat Phra Kew which is part of the complex that everyone knows the Grand Palace.
The Emerald Buddha stayed here in Vientiane for over 200 years! The Buddha was brought back from the Lanna Kingdom (today northern Thailand) by King Setthathirat, for those who follow it is the same one who founded the city of Vientiane.
He had this temple built around 1556. Following a dispute with the neighboring kingdom of Siam in 1778, they destroyed the temple and took back the Buddha. 50 years later, just rebuilt by King Annouvong, again for those who follow, 1828, hop, Siam destroyed it again... It was finally France who rebuilt it between 1936 and 1942 based on original plans of the temple as it was in 1828.
Very beautiful wooden sculptures.
Towards the tourist district, looking for a place to eat, I couldn't hang around too long because I had to catch the bus afterwards, so I gobbled up my meal a bit.
The “black” chedi (the That Dam, one of the survivors of the Siamese rage, dating from the 16th century)
The restaurant I wanted to go to was closed... too bad.
