Thruepang Palace
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Thruepang Palace is a royal dzong (a form of fortress) in Trongsa District, Bhutan. The royal government of Bhutan considers it to be a historic building.[1]
Early history
Located on the hillside, the palace was considered crucial in establishing control in the early days of the kingdom.[2]
The dzong (fortress) portion was constructed in 1648. The first and second kings used the fortress to rule the kingdom from this crucial position.
Modern history
It is the birthplace of the third Druk Gyalpo (King) Jigme Dorji Wangchuck of Bhutan in 1928.[3] He spent is early days growing up in the palace.
This was a secondary resident and served as a, but not main, royal palace for the second Druk Gyalpo (king) Jigme Wangchuck and Queen Ashi Puntsho Choden.[4] The Trhruepang Palace currently is still in use as a winter royal palace for the current king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.[5]
It is customary that any and future kings of Bhutan to serve as governor of the village, with his residence in the palace, before ascension to the throne.[6]