dzong
Quick Summary
A dzong in Bhutan is a fortress-monastery that historically served as a stronghold against enemies. These structures are prominent features in Bhutanese settlements, often situated on elevated sites overlooking rivers. Today, dzongs function as combined administrative centers and monasteries, playing a crucial role in the political, economic, religious, and social life of the country. They are characterized by thick, inward-sloping walls, typical of Tibetan architecture, and house Buddhist lamas and government officials. The dzong at Tongsa, for example, guards a major mountain route and was once the seat of power for Bhutan's first hereditary maharaja.12
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