Trongsa, in central Bhutan, was the winter capital city during the reigns of the first and second kings. It lies at 1800m above sea level and is 200 kms from Thimphu, the current capital city.

Trongsa was named in 1541 AD when Lama Nagi Wangchuk, the great grandfather of Shabdrung, visited and lived in the village of Yueli, above the Dzong. One night, he saw a light burning on the ridge below. He went to investigate and saw the footprints of the horse of Pelden Lhamo (Bhutan’s guardian deity). He took this as an auspicious sign and built a small temple which later attracted many disciples. This transformed the place into what looked like a small village and hence the name Tong Sar, meaning ‘new village’.

Trongsa Dzong

The site was founded by Lama Ngagi Wangchuk in 1643 AD who built the Chorten Lhakhang at the edge of a ridge. In 1647 AD, Shabdrung Rimpoche began his great work of expansion and unification, during which he discovered the strategic position of Trongsa. In 1652, Mingur Tempa the third Desi, who was sent by Shabdrung Rimpoche to unify eastern Bhutan, built the Dzong and connected it to the Chorten Lhakhang. Through the years expansion work continued for the Dzong up till the 21st century. It is Bhutan’s largest and most impressive Dzong today, signifying the magnificent work of Buddhist architecture through its four courtyards, passageways and corridors.

Trongsa Ta Dzong

In 1652, Chogyal Minjur Tempa while extending the Trongsa Dzong, built the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower), on a steep hill above the main Dzong. The structures consists of a massive circular five-story tower (Utse), flanked by two lower towers. These south and north towers connect to the centre tower through multi-story wings. Two smaller, free standing semi circular towers are located further down hill.

Ta Dzong houses two temples. One is dedicated to the legendary Gesar of Ling. In the other, the future Buddha Maitreya is the main deity. Today, Ta Dzong is both a place of worship used by Bhutanese Buddhists and a museum presenting the rich historical and religious heritage of Trongsa Dzong.

A narrative thread takes the visitor through eleven galleries which showcase the historical and religious significance of Trongsa Dzong.
One of the galleries is dedicated to the history of the kings of the Wangchuck dynasty who have ruled the kingdom since 1907. Religious painting and statues are displayed in most of the Galleries.
In 2005, Ta Dzong restoration began with major funding from the Austrian Government and was completed in 2008.

Kuenga Rabten Palace

The palace lies to the south of Trongsa – 23 kms(one hour drive.) It was built by the second king Jigme Wangchuck in the 1930s as his winter palace. The ground floor was used to store food, the first floor was the residence of royal attendants and the king’s body guards and the second floor housed the royal quarters and the king’s private temple. It is now under the care of the Department of Home and Culture Affairs. Part of this palace is used as a library where many religious books are kept. It was established as a monastery in 2006 and around 20 monks reside here presently.