dates back to the Ayutthaya era, when it was called Wat Sakae. The wat was restored under Rama I (1782-1809).
Wat Saket was used for cremation ceremonies, which were not permitted inside the walled city. During a plague in the reign of King Rama II (1809-24), 30,000 bodies were brought here.
The Golden Mount is an artificial hill constructed under King Rama III (1824-51). When the king tried to build a chedi here before the hill existed, it collapsed because of the soft soil beneath. He therefore made a strong pile of mud and bricks to support it.
It was Rama IV (1804-68) who crowned the new hill with the intended chedi. He also shored up the hill with 1,000 teak logs because it was already sinking into the swampy ground.
Rama V (1853-1910) added the chedi that stands today, enshrining within it a relic of the Buddha, said to be from India or Nepal, given to him by the British. The concrete walls were added during World War II to prevent the hill from eroding and the structure collapsing.
What to See at Wat Saket
Wat Saket is not generally considered a notable temple in its own right, and most visitors come for the Golden Mount. However, it is interesting for its long history and its use as a cremation and burial site for so many people.
To the reach the top of the Golden Mount, you must ascend an exhausting 318 steps. On a clear day, the view from the top includes old Rattanakosin Island and the rooftops of Bangkok.
Just north of Wat Saket is where you can catch canal boats back to the town center, Siam or further up Sukhumvit.
The mount was started by King Rama III, although what you see now isn't what he had in mind. The plan was to build a giant chedi - a much larger version of the golden bell-shaped shrine you can see at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The core structure was being constructed using logs and bricks. The soft earth of Bangkok could not support the weight and the pagoda collapsed before it was completed. The project was abandoned until a later king built a small chedi on top of the mound. The concrete casing seen in the photo was only added around World War II.