History
Tradition holds that the first stronghold in the Thimphu valley was built in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa. In 1641 it was taken over by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the Bhutanese state, who rebuilt it and named it Tashichho, the fortress of the glorious religion. Over the following centuries it suffered fires and an earthquake in 1897. When Thimphu became the capital, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck had the dzong thoroughly rebuilt and enlarged in 1962–1969, keeping its oldest parts. Since then it has housed the king's office, government ministries and the seat of the central monastic body.
What to see
The white mass with red friezes and gilded roofs stands among rice fields beside the Wang Chhu river. Inside, government and monastic wings are arranged around courtyards, with the tall central tower, or utse, holding temples. Access is restricted because the building houses working offices, but visitors may enter the monastic courtyard. Every evening a flag-lowering ceremony takes place in front of the dzong.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q1896299
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