Ban Wichayen

Welcome to Lopburi, and specifically to Ban Chaophraya Wichayen, more commonly known as Ban Wichayen or the Constantine Phaulkon House. As we stand at the entrance gate on the delightfully named 'Rue de France'—a street name that…

Stepping through the gates into the western section of the compound, we are immediately confronted by the imposing remains of the primary residential buildings. Observe the sheer scale and construction material: these are…

As we navigate the ruins of the western buildings, look down to observe the deep excavations and stairwells leading beneath the ground floor. What you are looking at is a full basement level, a highly unusual architectural…

Moving to the center of the compound, we arrive at the spiritual heart of the enclave: a Catholic chapel, often referred to in historical texts as a church dedicated to Notre Dame. King Narai was exceptionally tolerant of foreign…

Finally, we explore the eastern section of the compound. While this area contained kitchens, servant quarters, and a well, its most remarkable feature is a large, rectangular brick building that functioned as a sophisticated…

As we conclude our tour of Ban Wichayen, let us reflect on the dramatic and bloody conclusion to the history of this site. The cosmopolitan utopia of King Narai's Lopburi was inherently fragile. …