Drugyel Dzong

Paro Drugyel Dzong

Further in the north from Paro town, are the ruins of Drugyel Dzong built in 1647 (16th Century), which straddles a hill overlooking approaches from Tibet. Once a strategic fortress critical in repulsing invading Tibetan armies from the north, it was laid waste by a fire in 1954. A sheltered passageway, also in ruins, runs from the Dzong to the distant bank of the river to ensure adequate water supplies in times siege. A small hamlet surrounds the ruins on one side with its archery range crisscrossing the path up to the burnt out fortress. In good weather, on may glimpse the peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari.