Though originally constructed in the 16th century, it was destroyed in the 19th century & then reconstructed in concrete in the 20th century. Though formally known as the Lotus Stupa, it is now known as the Watermelon (i.e. Makmo) Stupa because of its shape.
I noticed that the associated Wat Visoun was being restored by the US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation to the tune of $125,000. Strange? Why?
