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An old watchtower, standing on a hill behind Paro Dzong was renovated to make space for the National Museum of Bhutan. This unique round building, shaped as a conch shell with 2.5 meter-thick walls, was first built in 1656. Its conversion into a museum happened under the orders of His Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1968.
The Collection
With items dating back to the 4000 B.C E. till the present day, this museum has a collection of over 3000 artefacts. It comprises of some of the most spectacular bronze statues, paintings and other works of Bhutanese arts. As you move through the gallery, you would get a glimpse of the kingdom’s journey from its stone age till becoming a modern Mahayanist Buddhist society.
Its Significance for the Kingdom
Just like any other museum, National Museum of Bhutan also holds much significance for the kingdom as it is a preserver and promoter of its cultural values. However, there is more to it. Protecting traditions and traditional values is one of the Nine Domains of Gross National Happiness in Bhutan, to which the museum contributes heavily
