Phetchaburi - Phra Nakhon Khiri Royal Palace 
Phra Nakhon Khiri royal palace stands above the town on the 95-m (312- ft) high Khao Khlang mountain. Built by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in about 1860 in the European Neo-Classical style, its architect was Thuam Bunnak who later acted as Minister of Defence. He had gathered impressions of grand architecture during a European tour. King Mongkut himself cultivated the European way of life and was the first Thai ruler to learn a European language.
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His interests included mathematics, astronomy and political science. Like no other building in Thailand, this palace expresses the cosmopolitan way of life and thought of the Thai kings.
Phra Nakhon Khiri was built on a hill with two summits, both attainable by paths. From the road which crosses the hill in the north visitors reach the palace grounds on the north-west summit either via a flight of steps flanked by nagas or on a small rack-railway, which operates during opening times. Remains of the fort, now inhabited by colonies of monkeys, and buildings used by royal guards are visible along the route. The site of the royal palace is open to the public if no members of the royal family are in residence. The extensive terraces offer a fine view of the valley and the small town of Phetchaburi.
Phra Nakhon Khiri was built on a hill with two summits, both attainable by paths. From the road which crosses the hill in the north visitors reach the palace grounds on the north-west summit either via a flight of steps flanked by nagas or on a small rack-railway, which operates during opening times. Remains of the fort, now inhabited by colonies of monkeys, and buildings used by royal guards are visible along the route. The site of the royal palace is open to the public if no members of the royal family are in residence. The extensive terraces offer a fine view of the valley and the small town of Phetchaburi.
Things to See
Observatory / Chatchawan Wiangchai
The beautiful royal observatory (Chatchawan Wiangchai) has a glass roof and marvelous embellishments. Together with the buildings of the Phiman Phetmahet, the largest of which was used for the king's religious duties, it is worthy of attention.
Phra Thinang Phetphum Phairot
The foundation stone of Phra Thinang Phetphum Phairot, the site's largest building, was laid in July 1859. Constructed in the pure Neo-Classical style it first served as an audience chamber, later - as now, following fundamental renovation and partial reconstruction - as a residence for state guests. A large number of beautiful furnishings, including one of King Chulalongkorn's beds, are of note.
Phra Thinang Witchien Prasat
Phra Thinang Wichien Prasat, a very expressive building despite its simplicity, is a particularly magnificent example of Thai sacral architecture. On the roof four small, elaborately decorated towers surround a symbolic prang, whose base is encircled by a balustrade. Inside, beneath a seven-storied canopy, stands a statue of King Mongkut with a bust of the monarch in front of it. The bust was created by a French sculptor who modeled it initially on a photograph. King Mongkut was dissatisfied with the result and commissioned a Thai artist to cast another statue in bronze. This, however, followed the French example and so both pieces are displayed. King Mongkut died before the bronze statue was completed.
Wat Phra Kaeo
A 20-minute walk takes visitors from the north-west to the south-east summit. The most important building here is the Wat Phra Kaeo, which bears an amazing resemblance to the temple of the same name in the Grand Palace in Bangkok, on which it was modeled. From the time of the completion of the temple until King Mongkut's death a crystal statue of Buddha was displayed in the ordination hall, which has richly decorated tympanums and elaborately carved doors. The statue was returned to Bangkok and replaced by a copy. Chedi Phra Sutthasela (9 m (30 ft) high), partly built with material obtained from the island of Koh Sichang and transported by ships via the Gulf of Thailand to Phetchaburi, stands behind the hall.
Three pavilions and a red sandstone prang are opposite the ordination hall. The main hill is occupied by a 40-m (131-ft) high chedi, which King Mongkut had placed on the site of an older chedi.
Three pavilions and a red sandstone prang are opposite the ordination hall. The main hill is occupied by a 40-m (131-ft) high chedi, which King Mongkut had placed on the site of an older chedi.
