Posted on: May 29th, 2023
Drukgyal Dzong means ‘Fortress of the Victorious Drukpa’. The dzong is located in Phondey village, Paro Dzongkhag (district). Drukgyel Dzong was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders.
The dzong was destroyed by fire in 1951 and remained in ruins until early 2016. In April 2016, to celebrate the birth of the Dragon Prince, Gyalsey His Royal Highness Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, as well as to commemorate the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to Bhutan in 1616 AD and the birth year of Guru Rinpoche, then Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay announced that the dzong will be restored and reinstated to its former glory upon the command of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar. The announcement and ground breaking ceremony took place on 6 February 2016, a day after the Crown Prince was born.