Ta Dzong (The Tower of Trongsa Heritage Museum)
Standing high on the mountain ridge directly above Trongsa Dzong, this circular 17th-century stone watchtower was constructed in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tenpa to defend the fortress against inland threats. Today, the five-story defensive tower has been meticulously converted into a state-of-the-art museum, showcasing the history of the Wangchuck dynasty, sacred Buddhist treasures, and the defensive architecture of Bhutan’s medieval era.
The museum houses extraordinary historical artifacts, including the sacred Raven Crown worn by the first two kings of Bhutan, a 500-year-old ceremonial sword of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and rare gilded bronze statues from the Peling and Drukpa lineages. Travelers appreciate the rooftop observation deck, which provides an unmatched direct overhead look down into the multi-tiered courtyards and cantilever bridges of Trongsa Dzong stretching across the canyon below.
