Dzongpen
Videos
Page
Dzongpen is a Dzongkha term roughly translated as governor or dzong lord. Bhutanese dzongpens, prior to unification, controlled certain areas of the country, but now hold no administrative office. Rather, dzongpens are now entirely subservient to the House of Wangchuck.
Ugyen Wangchuck surrounded by his councillors at Punakha, Bhutan, 1905. Front Row: son of Thimphu Jongpen, Punakha Jongpen, Thimphu Jongpen, Trongsa Penlop, Zung Donyer [dronyer], Deb Zimpon, and elder son of Thimphu Jongpen.
Punakha Dzong, administrative fortress of the Punabs
Punakha Dzong
Simtokha Dzong, historical administrative center of Thimphu
Dzong architecture
Videos
Page
Dzong architecture is used for dzongs, a distinctive type of fortified monastery architecture found mainly in Bhutan and Tibet. The architecture is massive in style with towering exterior walls surrounding a complex of courtyards, temples, administrative offices, and monks' accommodation.
Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu
Gyantse Dzong
Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan.
Dzong at Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan.