Drukgyel Dzong

Once a fortress and Buddhist Monastery, Drukgyal Dzong is now in ruins and famed as one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Bhutan. Situated on a ridge in the upper Paro Valley, Drukgyal Dzong was constructed by Tenzin Drukdra at the behest of Ngawang Namgyel in the year 1649 to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan-Mongol forces. Destroyed by fire in the early 1950s, Drukgyal Dzong has today become one of the popular tourist attractions of Paro. The ruins are well preserved making it an impressive and imposing sight. Travellers visiting the site can understand or distinguish the features of the complex without much difficulty. Even though a majority of components of the Dzong are almost totally missing but some of the portions of stone and rammed earth wall structures still stands imposing. These remains let the visitors understand ideas and practices that were used for defence in the past.

Coming to the architecture of the Durkgyal Dzong, it comprises Utse, the central tower building, Shabkhor, rectangular buildings that surround the courtyards. Also, there are secret tunnels with protected passages that allowed to fetch water from the river below and send the troops during the time of war. The Chu-Dzong (waterfront), a cylindrical tower building is yet another (water fort) can be seen that have paths enclosed by defensive giant walls. A visit to Drukgyal Dzong which gives the best travel experience to the travellers, especially the archaeological buffs.