Grand Palace, Bangkok
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Grand Palace (Thai: พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. It served as the official residence of the king of Thailand from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. After the death of King Ananda Mahidol in the Baromphiman Palace, King Bhumibol moved the official royal residence to Chitralada Palace. Construction of the palace complex began in 1782, during the reign of Rama I.
The palace complex sits on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. The other approaches to the palace are protected by a defensive wall of 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400 square metres. Further out from the wall is a canal, which was also created for defensive purposes, making the area surrounding the palace an island, known as Rattana Kosin.
Prominent parts of the Grand Palace:
- Wat Phra Kaew, the temple containing the Emerald Buddha
- Chakri Mahaprasad Hall, a building in a style influenced by the Italian Renaissance
 Chakri Mahaprasad Hall |
 Prasat Phra Debidorn |
 Phra Sri Ratana chedi |
 A mythological giant (yak) |
 Bell tower |
 Kinaree - mythological creature, half bird, half woman |
 Buddhist monks in the Grand Palace |
 |
This article about an Asian building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
