Clad in Italian Carrara marble, Wat Benchamabophit is a well-proportioned meld of East and West designed by Italian architect Hercules Manfredi. Commissioned in 1899 by Rama V (one room contains his ashes), the temple features stained-glass windows depicting scenes from Thai mythology and a replica of Thailand's much-venerated Buddha image: the haloed Phra Phutta Chinirat of Pitsanuloke. Monks collect alms every morning by standing out front.
