The Phra Si Rattana Chedi is a traditional stupa, and is covered with gold mosaic tiles imported from Italy. Two golden Phra Suvarnachedi are situated to the east of the terrace, flanking the steps leading up to the Prasat Phra Thep Bidon. The two chedi were built by Rama I to commemorate his parents, the southern chedi for his father Thongdi and the northern for this mother Daoreung. The two chedi are almost identical. They each have a marble octagonal base 8.5 metres 28 ft wide and topped with a golden, square-based stupa with triple indented corners 16 metres 52 ft in height. The top spire is decorated in nine levels of layered lotus bud motifs. The structures are covered in copper sheets painted over with lacquer and gilded in gold leaf. The two chedi were moved when the terrace was expanded to accommodate the royal pantheon.
|
