National Museum in Paro, Bhutan

Location: Paro, Bhutan
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The national museum of Bhutan is housed inside a medieval watch tower in Paro valley. The watch tower locally known as Ta Dzong is located above the Paro Dzong (Fortress). The circular shape structure has a two and a half meter thick wall dotted with traditional windows spread across the wall. The structure like most other fortresses in the country was built without a blue print and without the use of nails.

As per historical accounts, Ta Dzong was used as a prison. Ta Dzong is also said to have an underground passage connecting the building to the Paro River. The secret tunnel was used to fetch water during the times of war. The structure was renovated and inaugurated as a textile museum in 1968 initially and later upgraded to national museum.

The museum has a collection of ancient and modern religious paintings, weapons and farming tools that dates back to the Stone Age. The museum also has an exhibition of Bhutan’s diverse ecology. Some of the highlight from the museum collection includes an egg laid by a mule, a horse horn and Stone Axe which dates back to the Stone Age.