Grand Palace
The Grand Palace ( Thai: พระบรม มหาราช วัง, pronunciation: [ p ʰ ráʔ bɔrom máʔhă ː râtt͡ɕ ʰ áʔwaŋ ], in engl language. " Grand Palace " ) was the official residence of the Kings of Siam (now Thailand) in Bangkok from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century. After the death of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII ) 1946 Borom - Phiman Palace decided King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX. ) The transfer of the residence in the Chitralada Palace.
History
Just 15 years after the Burmese had destroyed the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, the newly crowned King Rama I made ( Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke ) it to resurrect the glory of the Siamese empire again. He decided to let lay the foundation for a new palace on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River on May 6, 1782. It was staked a district north of there existing Wat Potharam (now Wat Phra Chetuphon, in short: Wat Pho ) (now Wat Mahathat ) lay south of the former Wat Salak. The eastern bank of the river was originally very swampy, so it had to be drained first. Since the time of King Taksin, a narrow channel, the Khlong Lord ( " straw - channel " ) was dug. Where the new palace was planned already lived a community of wealthy Chinese merchants, which probably supported the former Wat Potharam. They were friendly "asked" to relocate their businesses, in the "Gardens ", a then uninhabited area outside the city, which is known as " Sampeng " today. Then the first temporary building of the new palace of wood and leaves braid could be built.
The June 10, 1782 was determined to be an auspicious date on which to take on the king of the ancient palace of King Taksin, the Phra Raja Wang Derm, which was in Thonburi directly next to the present Wat Arun, ceremoniously crossed the river to its new home.
The entire area was initially surrounded by a heavily fortified wooden palisade. Later it was long by 1.9 km, replaced high brick wall, which should shield the palace to the outside. The much-needed construction materials such as bricks, were brought by ship from the ruined palace in Ayutthaya. The first phase of construction was completed in 1785, so that the palace was officially inaugurated in a grand ceremony.
Location
The entire system of the old royal palace follows surprisingly accurate to the blueprint of the short time before destroyed Wang Luang ( Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya ). The complex consists of an approximately 2.6 -acre site on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River near the Royal Square, the Sanam Luang. Here, various buildings and facilities are arranged, the most important being the Wat Phra Kaeo, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is.
The current buildings on the site are the result of ongoing construction activity since 1782, since that time the buildings were rebuilt, expanded, rebuilt, renovated or demolished to make way for new installations place. The first phase of construction was completed for the coronation of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke ( Rama I ); the newest building was inaugurated on 13 June 2006, the Borommaratchasathit Maholan Throne Hall ( พระที่นั่ง บรม ราช สถิต ย มโหฬาร ).
Plant
The current palace consists of four parts, the exterior courtyard, the central courtyard, the interior courtyard and the Wat Phra Kaeo, each of the parts was functionally tailored to those who lived or worked there. The interior courtyard in the northern part of the palace, in which only women were admitted, is surrounded by a high wall. At the entrances to this area were female guards. The exterior courtyard is located in the southern part, where the ministries were settled, with whom the king had frequent interaction with the Treasury and the royal guards.
The central courtyard is the most impressive part of the palace. This also consists of four complexes: the so -called First group of buildings, the complex Chakri Maha Prasat around, the group around the Dusit Palace and the group around the Borom Phiman Hall. Hidden away in the southern part of the central courtyard sits the Wat Phra Kaeo - Museum.
The grounds of the palace is modeled after the old Royal Palace in Ayutthaya, the short time had been destroyed before the planning of the palace in Bangkok by the Burmese.
First group of buildings
The first group of buildings that Phra Maha - Monthien group, located in the center of the old Royal Palace and has been the coronation ceremony of Phra Phutthayotfa ( Rama I ) completed and used. To date, it provides a framework for the official coronation of the Chakri Dynasty.
Chakri Maha Prasat Group
This group was built by King Chulalongkorn ( Rama V ) and originally consisted of eleven buildings, of which only three are left today. Outstanding Chakri Maha Prasat building is the with the mounted at the back of the throne hall.
The Chakri Maha Prasat, which was built by King Chulalongkorn, was completed in 1882, the same year Bangkok celebrated its centenary. Nowadays, reception areas, are only used. The Chakri Group consists of the throne hall and two wings. The Throne Hall was used for many occasions, but especially for the reception of foreign ambassadors at the presentation of their letters of accreditation and for state banquets in honor of foreign heads of state. The walls of the throne hall are decorated with 4 screens showing diplomatic receptions of the past are being held. The painting on the east wall depicts King Mongkut's reception for the British ambassador, Sir James Bowring. On the right wall a reception at Buckingham Palace will be shown, gave the Queen Victoria in honor of King Mongkut (Rama IV) Ambassador. Further back, on the western wall, you can see the reception of Louis XIV in the glass gallery of Versailles in honor of the diplomatic corps, had sent the King Narai of Ayutthaya to France. The third screen on the other side of the hall, shows King Mongkut's reception for a French ambassador. And the fourth screen is a reception Napoleon III back in Fontainbleu, which was given in honor of another diplomatic delegation King Mongkut. The crystal decorations in the hall are mainly gifts of foreign kings of King Chulalongkorn.
Dusit Group
The group consists of the Dusit Maha Prasat coronation hall, the Phra Thinang Phiman Rataya and the Aphonphimok pavilion.
Borom Phiman complex
The group consists of Phra Maha Prasat Thinang Siwalai, Phra Thinang Sitalaphirom, Phra Phuttha Rattanasathan, Phra Thinang Boromphiman and Phra Thinang Sutthaisawan.
Wat Phra Kaeo - Museum
The museum is tucked away in the southern part of the central courtyard. It is housed in a building in the Western style, of King Chulalongkorn as " Royal Mint" ( Mint ) was built. When the Wat Phra Kaeo was renovated for the 200 - year anniversary of Bangkok, some archtitektonische elements had to be replaced, the originals are kept in the museum here. Several Buddha statues that were donated by kings or by private persons of the temple are exhibited here. Upstairs there is to see also the so-called " Manangasila Throne ", the King Mongkut 1833 in Sukhothai was on Noen Prasat next to a model of Wat Phra Kaeo at the time of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke ( Rama I ).
Impressions
Chakri Maha Prasat with entrance to the symbol of the Chakri Dynasty
Statue of a white elephant and palace guard at the Chakri Maha Prasat
In the courtyard of the palace