Wangdue Phodrang Dzong

The dzong was founded by Ngawang Namgyal in 1638, at the top of a hill at the confluence between the Puna Tsang and Dang rivers to consolidate power and to defend the region.^[1][2][3] According to legend, Namgyal was inspired to build the dzong when he was approached by an old man in the Chimi Lhakhang, who told him that if he built a dzong in the neck of a ridge resembling a sleeping elephant, he would be able to achieve the unification of Bhutan (known as Drukyul at the time).^[1][4][5][6] The construction of the dzong started in 1638 and continued for the next year and a half under the supervision of Penlop Nyama Kukye until it was completed in 1640.^[7][2][8] In 1683, the dzong was expanded by Tenzin Rabgye.^[1] It was later renovated in 1767 by Sonam Lhendrup.^[1]

In 1837, the dzong was destroyed due to a fire and subsequently restored.^[1][2][8][9] In 1897, the dzong was partially damaged due to an earthquake.^[1][2] The dzong received minor renovations in 1952 and 1983.^[1] In 2012, the dzong were listed by the Bhutanese government in the tentative list for UNESCO's world heritage sites, along with the Punakha, Rinpung, Trongsa and Daga Dzongs.^[10]

On 24 June 2012, a fire caused by a short circuit completely destroyed the dzong.^{[11][3][8][2][12]} Reconstruction of the dzong started in 2014 with a joint investment between King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Indian government and donations of Bhutanese people.^[1][8][13]

Dzongs are Buddhist monastery fortresses built usually in elevated places.^[1][14] They were built for both spiritual and governance purposes.^[1][14]

The dzong sits in the narrow top of a hill between the Puna Tsang and the Dang rivers, at an elevation of approximately 1,200 metres (3,900 ft), with a clear view of the valleys below.^[3][8] It was the third oldest dzong built by Ngawang Namgyal.^[8] The dzong was built using stone, wood and mud as the main construction materials.^[3] It has three sections: an oblong courtyard in the northeast, an enclosure in the middle used for religious purposes, and a second courtyard in the southwest, with all sections being narrow due to the dzong's location in the constricted summit of a hill.^[6] The dzong also features 14 lhakhangs, which were installed during the reconstruction after the 2012 fire.^[8]