Wat Jao Ya, or Grandmother's Monastery, is located off the city island in the northern area, in the Khlong Sra Bua Sub-district. The temple was situated between Khlong Sra Bua (1) and Khlong Pha Lai (2), respectively, on its east and west bank.
The monastery ground was split into two parts by a modern road. Archaeological evidence indicates that Wat Jao Ya already dates from the early Ayutthaya period (1351 - 1491 CE), where the Khmer Prang was the most prominent structure within the temple compound. The monastic structures in situ are from the middle (1491 - 1629 CE) to the late Ayutthaya period (1629 - 1767 CE).
On the east side of the road, we find a vihara with its principal chedi and some satellite chedis. On the west side of the road stands a royal residence, or Tamnak, and a bell tower.
The main chedi was a circular stupa in Singhalese style (bell-shaped) on an elevated platform, identical to the three chedis at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, dating from the middle Ayutthaya period (Sukhothai influence). The chedi stood west of the vihara, the classical position.