Grand Palace
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page. |
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (April 2008) |
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 Grand 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 Rattanakosin.
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) |
 One set of the 8 Double Sema Stones (Bai Sema) |
 Kinnorn - mythological creature, half bird, half man |
 Buddhist monks in the Grand Palace |
[edit] Media
-
Video tour of Grand Palace, Thailand
- Problems seeing the videos? See media help.
[edit] Further reading
- Naengnoi Suksri, The Grand Palace, Bangkok. River Books, Bangkok 1999, ISBN 0-500-97479-9
- K.I. Matics: A History of Wat Phra Chetupon and its Buddha Images. The Siam Society, Bangkok 1979 (w/o ISBN)
[edit] External links
 |
This article about an Asian building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
