Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park
The Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park ( Thai อุทยาน ประวัติศาสตร์ พระนคร คีรี , pronunciation: [pʰráʔ náʔkʰɔːn Kiri] ) is located on a hill in the province of Phetchaburi in Central Thailand . Phra Nakhon Khiri means “holy city hill”, but the locals call it Khao Wang , the “palace hill ”.
investment
The historical park consists of three building complexes that have been erected on the three knolls of the more than 90 meter high hill. The king had his residence built on the "western hill", along with several smaller buildings and halls. The "central dome" is dominated by the Chedi Phrathat Chom Phet. The royal temple Wat Phra Kaeo stands on the "eastern knoll".
The Thai Fine Arts Department registered the facility on December 13, 1953 as a "National Monument". After a thorough restoration, it is now open to tourists.
Facilities
Phra Thinang Phetphum Phairot
The Phra Thinang Phetphum Phairot (Thai: พระที่นั่ง เพชรภูมิ ไพโรจน์ ) throne hall is the largest building. The foundation stone was laid in July 1859. It served as a throne hall for audiences. After extensive restoration work, it is now used as a house for state guests of the country.
Phra Thinang Pramot Mahaisawan
The Phra Thinang Pramot Mahaisawan ( พระที่นั่ง ปราโมทย์ ม ไห สวร ร ย์ ) was the king's residence and his sleeping quarters were located here.
Phra Thinang Wichien Prasat
The Phra Thinang Wichien Prasat (Thai: พระที่นั่ง เวชยันต์ วิเชียร ปราสาท ) is an impressive example of Thai architecture: it was built in honor of King Mongkut on a three-tier terrace, each one surrounded by a balustrade . In the center is the Prasat in a classic Thai architectural style. On its roof there are four ornate towers that surround a symbolic prang . This quincunx arrangement is supposed to symbolize the center of the Buddhist worldview ( Traibhumikatha ) , Mount Meru with the four surrounding continents. Inside the building there is a bust of King Mongkut under a seven-fold umbrella. A French sculptor, who had to work from a photograph, was initially commissioned to make the mold. The king was dissatisfied with the result and hired a Thai sculptor to do the work. However, this was based on the work of the French, so that today both versions of the bust are exhibited. The king died before the second statue was completed.
observatory
King Mongkut was very interested in astronomy and therefore had an observatory ( Ho Chatchawan Wiangchai , หอ ชัชวาล เวียงชัย ) built here with a glass roof and wonderful ornaments. Next to it is the Ho Phiman Phetmahesuan ( หอ พิมาน เพชร มเหศวร ), a small hall that contained Buddha statues and religious objects. It was sometimes used by the king for meditation.
Wat Phra Kaeo
Wat Phra Kaeo was built on the "eastern hill" in the style of the late Ayutthaya period : Chedi , ubosot and bell tower ( Hor Rakhang ) lie on an axis that is oriented from west to east, as well as on a shared terrace . The doors and the tympani of the relatively small ordination hall are richly decorated, inside there was a crystal Buddha statue during the lifetime of King Mongkut (Rama IV) , which gave the temple area its name ("Kaeo", Thai แก้ว : crystal ) . The statue was moved to Bangkok after the king's death and replaced with a copy. The approximately 9 meter high Chedi Phra Sutthasela stands behind the ordination hall. It was partly built with materials from Ko Sichang Island . Opposite the hall are three pavilions and a prang made of red sandstone .
history
The entire complex was built under King Mongkut (Rama IV) and completed in 1860. The execution was the responsibility of the architect and later Defense Minister Chuang Bunnag , who used a European neoclassical architectural style. He wanted to represent the cosmopolitan spirit of the king, who was much more open to western science and culture than any of his predecessors.
literature
- Naengnoi Suksri: Palaces of Bangkok. Royal Residences of the Chakri Dynasty . Thames & Hudson Ltd., London 1996, ISBN 0-500-97446-2 .
Web links
- Websites with descriptions in English
Individual evidence
- ^ Phra Nakhon Khiri Muang Phet Fair , Thai Embassy in Singapore.
- ↑ Smiling under sunset at Phra Nakorn Khiri Historical Park. In: Magazineonline4.com , February 14, 2014.
Coordinates: 13 ° 6 ′ 31.3 ″ N , 99 ° 56 ′ 16.6 ″ E