The
Grand Palace occupies an area of over 218,000 sq. meters adjacent
to the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Rama I on ascending the throne
moved the palace from its location in Dhonburi on the other side of
the river to its present site. The walls were built in 1783 and after
erecting public monuments, like the fortifications and monasteries,
the palace was built. Within the walls the Chapel Royal of the Emerald
Buddha, the palace offices and the royal residence were placed.
Today's visitors are treated to a magnificent display of history and
artifacts of the legendary Siam. Buildings adorned with ornate carvings
and mystical figures are the norm as are statues of these mystical
figures and shrines honoring numerous different things are common.
You can spend hours and hours walking the grounds of the Grand Palace
and still not have your fill of its beauty.
Enjoy the pictures taken at the Grand Palace. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anne
standing on the
steps to the Reliquary |
Phra
Sri Rantana Chedi
The Reliquary, shaped like a golden
cedi, is part of the upper terrace. |
Phra
Mondhob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Within
the walls of the Grand Palace are many buildings and temples, over
30, to enjoy. As shown by the pictures (above) many are elaborately
decorated and have ornate roof structures. Many others contain (below)
shrines to various revered entities. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shrine
devoted to elephants |
|
| The
people of Thailand seem to be very religious. Wats, or local Buddhist
temples, were located throughout the country and very accessible to
the population. Every one we visited was crowded with people and not
just tourists. The faithful brought offerings to the shrines and could
be seen praying often. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Elephant
shrines were common throughout Thailand as the elephant is a revered
animal there. Not only have they played an important role in building
much of Thailand they have also been important to the history and
culture of Thailand. It is said that the kingdom will fall when the
last white elephant dies and, we were told, only one white elephant
remains today. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shrines
on the grounds of the Grand Palace
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mystical
figures of the Kingdom of Siam
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Throughout
the Grand Palace many statues of mystical figures can be found. Most,
like above and below, combine animal features with human forms. From
what I understand these figures evolved from the imaginations of the
artist and are valued for their aesthetic inspiration. Others, like
below, are more elaborately decorated or covered with a brilliant
gold. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continue
to the next page for more pictures of the Grand Palace ... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
