The Ancient Agora of Athens was a central hub of Athenian life, serving as a place for socializing, conducting business, and participating in religious festivals. The site held significant importance for women, as they could gather and socialize during religious festivals, and even officiate the worship of goddess Athena. The Agora was home to important buildings, such as the Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos, and was known for its rich decoration with famous works of art.
In the 5th century BC, the Agora became the seat of the Athenian democracy, hosting the city council, law courts, and meetings of the assembly. Despite being destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC, the Athenians rebuilt the Agora, showcasing their commitment to preserving this historic site. The Agora's significance extends beyond its political and commercial roles, as it was also the setting where philosophers like Socrates and Plato shared their ideas.
Today, the Ancient Agora of Athens is an archaeological ...
Jodd Fairs Night Market Ratchada is the current main location of one of Bangkok’s most popular night markets, operating as the consolidated hub after earlier iterations closed. It traces its roots to the legendary Talad Rot Fai Ratchada, the original Train Night Market Ratchada that drew crowds with its vintage railway theme and lively vibe before it closed during the lockdowns.
The Jodd Fairs brand emerged around 2021 when the market relocated to the Rama 9 area, gaining fame as a spacious, food-focused destination. The Rama 9 site itself shut down in early 2025 due to lease expiration and construction of a new skyscraper, prompting the operator to open this refreshed version at Ratchada on Ratchadaphisek Road in November 2024.
Now situated next to Big C supermarket and a short walk from MRT Thailand Cultural Centre station (Exit 4), the market spans a generous area with hundreds of stalls, blending the energetic spirit of its predecessors into a cleaner, more polished setup that remains a go-to ...
Wat Intharam Ratchaworawihan is a third-class royal temple of the ratchaworawihan type located along the southern bank of Khlong Bangkok Yai in Bangkok’s Thonburi district. Originally built during the Ayutthaya period as Wat Bang Yi Rua Nok (also known as Wat Bang Yi Rua Tai or Wat Suan Phlu), it was a modest community temple until King Taksin the Great restored and elevated it to royal status during the Thonburi era.
The king held deep devotion to the site, frequently visiting to observe precepts, practice meditation, and perform royal merit-making ceremonies. Tradition holds that the temple hosted the enshrinement of his body, his cremation, and the interment of his ashes.
A major renovation occurred in the reign of King Rama III under Phraya Si Sahathep (Peng Sriphen), which included constructing a new ordination hall and other structures. The king then bestowed the current name, Wat Intharam. Infrastructure projects later divided the grounds, leaving the main monastic area of roughly ...
Wat Phichaya Yatikaram Worawihan, commonly called Wat Phichai Yat or Wat Phichaiyat, is a second-class royal Theravāda Buddhist temple (Worawihan) in Bangkok’s Thonburi area.
The temple probably dates from the Ayutthaya period, when the area was a busy port. It was abandoned by the early Bangkok era. Between 1829 and 1832, Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Phichaiyat (Tat or That Bunnag, then titled Phraya Si Phiphat) restored it on a large scale. He used Chinese materials including ship ballast, colored tiles, and stones.
He offered the completed temple to King Rama III, who gave it royal status and the name Wat Phraya Yatikaram. King Rama IV later changed the name to Wat Phichaya Yatikaram. The Fine Arts Department listed it as a national ancient monument in 1949.
Two white chedi with gold details stand on tall pedestals along the path. Chinese influences from the Rama III period appear in the decorations, eaves, and materials.
The ubosot (ordination hall) has a Chinese-style exterior without ...
