This pagoda was founded in 1565 by Setthathirath, when he made Vientiane the country's capital. From then on it served as a royal chapel. The original sanctuary was destroyed by the Siamese in 1827, so the sim you see today is a reconstruction dating from the Protectorate period (1942). Now deconsecrated, its modern purpose is as a museum of religious art. In particular, it displays some superb 17C bronze Buddhas considered some of the most remarkable examples of religious statuary.