Wat Phra Kaeo seens from the observatory tower

Phra Nakhon Khiri (Thai: อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครคีรี) is a historical park in Phetchaburi, Thailand, located on hill overlooking the city. Historical parks in Thailand are managed by the Fine Arts Department, a sub-division of the Ministry of Education. ... Phetchaburi (often short Phetburi, Thai เพชรบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ...

To the locals it is better known as Khao Wang, simply meaning Hill with palace, while the name Phra Nakhon Khiri means Holy City Hill.

The park consists of three building groups, located on the three peaks of the 92m high hill. On the western peak is the actual palace with adjoining structures. The middle or central peak is a big chedi named Phra That Chom Phet. The eastern peak houses the Wat Phra Kaeo, the royal temple, built in similar fashion to the Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok. A stupa A stupa (from the Sanskrit) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia. ... Outside view Golden chedi The Wat Phra Kaew (English: Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is the most important buddhist temple of Thailand. ...

The whole complex was built as a summer palace by King Mongkut, with construction finished in 1860. King Mongkut (Rama IV), (October 18, 1804 - October 18, 1868) was king of Thailand from 1851 to 1868. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ...

The site was registered as an historical park on August 27, 1979, with two of the palace buildings now housing a branch of the Thai National Museum. The National Museum in Thailand is the main museum on the history of the Thai culture. ...

External links

• Thai National Museum (http://www.thailandmuseum.com/thaimuseum_eng/phranakhonkiri/history.html)