Simtokha Dzong | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Tibetan Buddhism |
Location | |
Location | Thimphu, Bhutan |
Country | Bhutan |
Geographic coordinates | 27°26′17″N 89°40′10″E / 27.43806°N 89.66944°E |
Architecture | |
Style | Dzong architecture |
Founder | Ngawang Namgyal |
Date established | 1628 |
Simtokha Dzong ('dzong' means "castle-monastery") also known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Bhutanese language meaning: "Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras") is a small dzong. It was built in 1628 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan. It is the first of its kind built in Bhutan. An important historical monument and former Buddhist monastery, today it houses one of the premier Dzongkha language learning institutes. It recently underwent renovation.