Historical Sign, Wat Haw Phra Kaew—Vientiane City, Laos
Posted by: 
Ianatlarge
N 17° 57.714 E 102° 36.678
48Q E 247011 N 1987597
A dual language sign describing this history of this temple.
Waymark Code: WMERK2
Location: Laos
Date Posted: 07/01/2012
Views: 2
Wat Haw Phra Kaew was built between 1565 and 1556, on the orders of King Lao (Vientiane) King Setthathirath. It was originally used as the personal temple of the various Lao royal families. Also, the temple at one time housed the Emerald Buddha, an important Buddhist relic, which has been the instigator of much strife over the centuries. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times, rebuilt most recently in 1930s by the French colonial government. it is unstated, but the temple shows signs of recent renovation.
The Wat now stands in central Vientiane. It consists of large and well landscaped grounds. The ordination hall is large and impressive and contains excellent examples of Lao Buddhist sculpture. Part of the hall is a small museum. The larger part functions as a wat. Photography is not permitted in either. There are several stone artefacts in the grounds, which look severely worn, these may be original pieces, however, there is no provenance available.
This is one of the sights on the Vientiane tourist circuit.
The sign is on the approach to the temple. It is bilingual, with Loa text above and English below. The text is carved into dark wood, and while attractive, it is not easy to read. The image used here is enhanced.
The text is given as is, no attempt to correct the English:
Hophrakeo
Hophrakeo it was built in 1565 A.D. (2108 B.E.) by the great
King Xaisethathirath the Laolanexang Kingdom the
Hophrakeo for the contain of the Emerald Buddha only
now, the emeral Buddha was in the foreign a broad
since 1779 A.D.
Now, the Hophrakeo for collection of the ancient
materials of Hophrakeo Museum.
Group that erected the marker: Temple administration.
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Rue Setthathilath
Vientiane, Laos
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed
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