Hidden from the worldly bustle and noise of the ridge of the highest mountains of the globe Tibet from time immemorial beckons to travelers . This is one of the most ancient states of the world with its unusual statute and order, the richest history and cultural heritage . And it is not surprising that it is in Tibet that the highest castle complex in the world is located - the Potala Palace . Its name was given in the 11th century thanks to the mountain on which it is located . It is called Puto, according to legend, it was here that the Bodhisattva Avalokitesva which is considered the embodiment of the great compassion of all the enlightened (Buddhas) .
The history of the palace construction
The Potala Palace was first built in the second half of the 7th century at an altitude of almost four thousand meters above sea level by the Tuffian ruler Sronzangangpom as the main imperial residence for him and his new wife Princess Wencheng. Before that, there were already caves for meditation. The entire palace complex, consisting of thousands of rooms and rooms, was surrounded by a high fortress wall, and it could be accessed through four gates.
Only in the middle of the 17th century Dalai Lama V Aghvan Lobsan Djamso decided to fully restore the former grandeur of the palace. As a result, there was a grand complex with patios, wide stone staircases, chapels, fenced high walls and covering an area of about three hundred and sixty thousand square meters.
Architecture and interiors
In this reconstruction, about seven thousands of builders and another 1,500 sculptors and artists who created unique statues and sculptural compositions. The central place among them is the statue of Potala, completely covered with gold and weighing half a ton. In addition, silver, precious stones and a valuable tree were widely used in the construction and decoration of the palace.
The fact that the Potala Palace is one of the main symbols of Tibet, the treasury of the cultural and spiritual heritage of the country, and also the greatest architectural monument of the region, contributed the fact that in 1994 this complex was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today it is the residence of the Dalai Lama, the site of the most important religious rituals and one of the most interesting museums in the world.
How to visit
The palace for tourists is open from 9:00 to 17:00, and in the summer months from 7: thirty. On the day it can be viewed by just over two thousand people, mostly groups of tourists who bought tickets beforehand. As a rule, immediately after the closing, the entrance tickets for the next day are immediately bought up, their cost is about $ 11 per person (June 2012).
| Majestic roofs, Potala Palace |
| Potala Palace |
| Potala Palace Halls |
| Potala Palace Roofs |
| Potala Palace Stairs |
| Against the Potala Palace |
| Panorama of Potala Palace |
| Square in front of the Potala Palace |