VAT SENSOUKHARAM (VAT SENE)
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Located in the heart of the historic city, along Sakkarine Road, Vat Sene is one of the most beautiful temples in the city. Built in 1718 by King Kitsarath, the first ruler of the independent kingdom of Luang Prabang, on the site of an ancient shrine dating from the reign of Souvanna Banlang, Vat Sene Souk Haram literally means "temple of 100,000 treasures". It was the first monastery of Luang Prabang whose vihan (or sim) was covered with yellow and red tiles, of Thai inspiration in the Lanna style. At that time, such architectural audacity must have provoked a great outcry. The same type of colours can be found in the Vat Nong Sikhounmuang. Buddhist deities holding lotus flowers on horses and lions are represented in gold on the bright red walls. The windows are decorated with Khmer-style wooden balustrades and shutters. There are also two large dugout canoes used during the festival of canoes every year in August or September. This complex of the "Patriarch's Temple", as it is also called, houses a monastery with several dwellings for the monks, several stupas and chapels with Buddha statues, and a tower where a drum is enthroned. It was restored for the first time in 1932, and was restored a second time in 1957, on the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha's birth, when it was consecrated anew. Unfortunately the sim rarely opens its doors, but with a bit of luck...
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