Petchaburi’s Province Slogan :“Pha- Nakornkhiri...Kao Wang Muang Phet”
The above sentence is a well known slogan of Petchburi Province. Petchburi Province has a long history and a famous Art & Culture which will make all the tourists admire the attractiveness of this place. So for this month, we will let you to travel to Petchaburi and Pha- Nakorn Khiri or Kao Wang which will be is the first place that everybody will think about when we talk about Petchburi Province
Pha- Nakorn Khiri is the royal palace located at Amphur Muang Petchaburi Province. His Majesty the King Rama IV of Thailand started building it 1859 on the top of the mountain. That mountain has three peaks and heights around 95 meter above sea level, after finished construction, His Majesty The King Rama IV called them Yod-Kao-Maha-Sawan” which was known among residents as “Kao Wang” Phanakorn Khiri.
His Majesty the King Rama VI stayed here every time he came to Petchaburi. He was kind enough to ask Chao-Phaya Suriyawong (Chung Boonnak) to be a leader of the construction in 1860 and also kindly ask everyone here to call it “Pha-Nakorn-Khiri” He was pleased to reconstruct the Samana Temple then called it “Mahasamanaram”. King Rama IV had come to see the progress of the construction. After the several visits of King Rama V in 1861, there was no king use the palace as a residential anymore.
After that in 1861, King Rama V had come to stay here sometimes but after the King Rama V period, no king has come to stay her anymore. King Rama IX renovated Pha-Nakorn Khiri and named it Pra Nakorn Khiri Museum. It is the first palace in Thailand that was build on the top of a mountain. The specialty about the palace on the 3 peaks is that the architecture is different as well.
East Mountain Top The King is kind enough to build the temple of the palace that is Pra Kaew Temple or Pra Kaew Noi Temple. It was imitate from Pra Kaew Temple of the palace in Bangkok. The palace is composing of the important historic site that is Uposatha Hall. The hall has small size with Thai style and was built from brick and cement plastering. The wall of the hall is decorated with marble. The roof is color tiles. There are tooth like ridges on the sloping edges of a gable and gable apex. The roof is decorated with glass by royal expert. The front of the roof is molded lime as hallmark of the King Rama V that is Pra Mahapichai Mongkut Hallmark. Now it was kept in the museum. Pra Suthasean Pagoda is located at behind of Uposatha Hall. It is round pagoda with gray and green color of stone. This pagoda was compose of sculpturing the stone to be the pagoda at Srichang Island then separate the pieces of stone and put on the ship to Petchburi and put all together at Pra Kaew Temple. Sala and Red Stupa is opposite the Bell Tower and Uposatha Hall. It was built as 3 small sala. The Red Stupa was paint all with red color then it was called that Red Stupa or Prapang Dang. Normally the stupa was built as transparent on the top and the bottom was dark of the stupa but Red Stupa is transparent all over the stupa. Bell Tower is the small quadrangle building with brick and cement plastering.
Center Mountain Top The King is kind enough to build the new pagoda instead of the one that get worse. The big Lang Ka pagoda was built before the palace. Within the pagoda was made hollow base as room with big pole to get weight at the middle. The round base has 2 levels; top level has the step to go up to top ground. On all sides of the base has arbor to place the Buddha Image. The king also is kind enough to contain the Buddha’s Relic within the pagoda and set up the name that “Pra That Jom Petch Pagoda”
West Mountain Top It is the place of the royal palace and other throne-halls. At present it was adjusted to be the place of the Pranakorn National Museum. The important thing is Petchpoon Pairoj Throne-Hall is the main hall of other halls. The architecture is European mix with Thai and Chinese Style. Former in King Rama IV period, use it as throne hall for the lord and nobleman. Then in King Rama V period, it was changed to be the place to welcome the royal guest. It’s composed of dining room, living room, room for tea time, bedroom, bathroom and toilet room. Pramote Mahaisawan Throne-Hall is bedroom of King Rama IV. It was built as 2 stories like Chinese house. It’s connected to Petchpoom Pairoj Throne-Hall. The 2nd floor was divided the room as bedroom and working room. Vejchayan Vichein Prasart Thron-Hall is palace on top of pagoda as the famous style in King Rama IV period. The character is Jaturamuk palace with 5 step of pagoda top with big one at the middle of the pagoda top. There are 4 small pagodas at the angle, stand on the base that high 3 times level. In each level has glass balcony all around. The balcony at the top level has transparent dome. The palace is decorated with molded lime. Inside is the place to install the bronze statue of Rama IV. Rachadhammasapa Thron-Hall is 1 long level throne; the Chinese roof style is the art that mix together with west of Chinese and Thai art.
This throne is use for Dhamma conversation room in King Rama IV period. It’s also be the private meeting place then in King Rama V has changed it to be dining room for member of royal family. Chatchavarnvingchai Tower or Observatory is built as dome similar the glassed pavilion. There is step go to the top level. The top level has balcony with bar all around. The bar was made by glazed tile from China. The round roof is round glass, within the dome hang with light lamp. In the past, fisherman uses the light from this dome to lead them to Ban Lem Bay at night. King Rama IV is skilled on astronomy and astrology then glassed pavilion is the place to look through the telescope to see the stars. Santhakarn Satharn Palace is the place for potentate of female official in the palace. It is 2 levels building with brick and cement plastering; roof is wood structure and roof with earthenware as Chinese style. There are 2 guest rooms in the middle. Both of the sides are bedroom with balcony. Entertainment House or Thai Classical masked play enacting Theater is close to the Santhakarn Satharn Palace. There is the stage as moon shape articles with 2 doors beside the background, behind the background is dressing room and foreground is soil opened space. Pimarn Petchmaheswan Tower is located in front of Petchpoom Pairoj Throne-Hall. It is a group of 3 small buildings, in the middle of the big building has altar to place the Buddha image.
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