|
The Shrine of H.M. King Taksin the Great is situated to the north of the Two Chinese Houses and adjoining the eastern palace wall,
the present shrine was built during the reign of H.M. King Rama V when H.R.H. Prince Kromma Phra Chakrapadibhongse lived in the palace
from 1881 to 1900 (B.E. 2424 to 2443). The Prince ordered the construction of the new shrine to replace an old one which had fallen into disrepair.
No evidence however, exists on the purpose of the old shrine.
The new shrine is a mixture of Thai and Western style. The roofs is Thai with porticos on three sides covered in yellow-orange tiles.
The apex of the gables are elaborately carved from teak and represent parts of the Garuda
(a mythical bird) and the Naga (a serpent). The walls under the gables are of undecorated brick and mortar. The building is raised with a basement beneath.
Architectural and archeological research in 1997 show that the present shrine was built on the foundations of another structure, presumably another shrine.
Within the building, there is a Statue, one and a half times as large as life, of H.M. King Taksin the Great standing with sword in hand.
|
