Wat Mahathat history began in the 14th century, when this former monastery was truly impressive. Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya is one of the top must-see destinations on Thailand travel itineraries and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vegetation continues to grow into the temple’s architecture; in fact, tree roots have entwined themselves around the tower’s base and the face of a Buddha statue. Unsurprisingly, this iconic Buddha is one of the most photographed images in all of Ayutthaya. In addition, Wat Mahathat’s central tower collapsed years ago, and numerous Buddha statues and ornaments were found during the excavation. Today, visitors can still see some of this site’s important artifacts at Ayutthaya’s Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. Without question, the Wat Mahathat temple show how beauty can persist, despite the ravages of time.