Description of the attraction
The complex of the Grand Royal Palace, the residence of the rulers of Thailand, was built on an area of 218 thousand square meters. near the Chaopraya River in the center of Bangkok. It was erected by order of King Rama I in 1782-1785. It was at that time that Bangkok became the capital of Siam, where there was no palace worthy of a king. I had to build it.
At first, the palace and several adjacent buildings were made of wood. All of them burned brightly during the fire started by the Burmese who attacked Siam. Subsequently, the Grand Palace was restored, expanded and improved. Now the architectural complex, which still belongs to the king, consists of a residential palace, about a hundred temples, several museums, a pavilion of royal regalia and other buildings. All these buildings are surrounded by a wall.
Of the buildings of the palace, the greatest interest is the Supreme Residence, which consists of three mansions, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, built as the personal chapel of the king. The Grand Chakri Palace - a beautiful building whose architecture bizarrely combines elements typical of European Renaissance palaces and Thai houses - houses the Weapons Museum. Next door is an exhibition of artillery pieces and the Queen Sikirit Textile Museum, which focuses more on women and tells the story of Thai fashion.
The royal family does not reside in the Grand Palace. It is used for various state ceremonies. There are also offices of some institutions. The complex is open to tourists.
