Trongsa Dzong

The largest dzong in Bhutan, historic seat of power for the Wangchuck dynasty; every Bhutanese king has served as Trongsa Penlop before ascending the throne.

The dzong was built in 1644 and its power came from geography: the only east to west route through Bhutan ran through its courtyard, so whoever held Trongsa controlled movement across the country, which is how the Wangchuck kings rose from here. The watchtower above, Ta Dzong, is now the Tower of Trongsa museum, devoted to the dynasty. The dzong itself is a warren of courtyards and corridors on a spur above the Mangde Chhu gorge, and Chendebji and Kuenga Rabten are the stops nearby.