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Phra Nakhon Khiri National Museum | Phetchaburi

Phra Nakhon Khiri National Museum was originally a royal palace of King Rama IV, situated on the summit of three interconnected mountaintops, the highest of which is 95 meters high. This mountain was originally called Khao Samon (Sa-mon). On the eastern slope of the mountain was a temple called Wat Samon (Sa-ma-na). In a royal decree from Rama IV, the mountain is referred to as Khao Mahasamana. In 1861, the King bestowed the name "Khao Mahasawan" (Mahasawan Mountain), which was later changed to "Khao Mahisawan." King Rama IV ordered the construction of a royal palace on Khao Mahisawan in 1859. Chao Phraya Sri Suriyawong (Chuang Bunnag) was the chief overseer of the construction, and Phra Phet Phisai Srisawat (Tuam Bunnag) was the construction supervisor. Upon completion, the King granted permission for its construction to be completed. The palace was named "Phra Nakhon Khiri." The construction of the palace was on three mountaintops: the western mountaintop where the royal residence was built, the eastern mountaintop where Wat Phra Kaew Noi was built, and the central mountaintop where Phra That Chom Phet was built, all named "Phra Nakhon Khiri." Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, in his memoirs, recorded that King Mongkut (Rama IV) foresaw a global shift due to the rise of Western power in the East, and that Thailand might have future dealings with the West. Therefore, he began studying English... and various other subjects. Evidence suggests he studied mathematics... Between the ages of 40 and 47, he began studying English and various Western subjects. Because of his studies in Western knowledge, King Mongkut incorporated Western architectural styles into the construction of the palace. And various royal halls during his reign, such as the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, the Phra Abhinai Niwet complex in the Grand Palace, and Phra Nakhon Khiri, etc. The construction of Phra Nakhon Khiri used Neoclassical architecture as a model, but the craftsmanship shows the influence of Chinese architecture, such as the molding of the roof ridges and the use of banana leaf-shaped tiles. Entrance fees to Phra Nakhon Khiri National Museum (Khao Wang), Phetchaburi Province are as follows:
Thai citizens: 20 baht
Foreigners: 150 - 200 baht