Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan

Summary

The Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, or the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, is a museum complex located in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It was part of larger complex called the "Green Palace", an imperial residence of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, who was later proclaimed Bogd Khan, or ruler of Mongolia. Alongside being the oldest museum, it is also considered as one with the biggest collection in Mongolia. The palace is the only one left from originally four residences[1] of the Bogd Khan.

Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan
Богд хааны ордон музей (Mongolian)
Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan is located in Mongolia
Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan
Location within Mongolia
Established1893
LocationZaisan Street, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Coordinates47°53′51″N 106°54′24″E / 47.89750°N 106.90667°E / 47.89750; 106.90667
Collection size8,600 exhibits
Visitorsaverage of 40,000 annually
DirectorO.Mendsaikhan
WebsiteOfficial website

History edit

 
Museum displays inside the palace

The old city of Ikh Khüree, once it was set up as a permanent capital, had a number of palaces and noble residences in an area called Öndgiin sürgiin nutag. The Bogd Khan had four main imperial residences, which were located between the Middle (Dund gol) and Tuul rivers. The summer palace was called Erdmiin dalai buyan chuulgan süm or Bogd khaanii serüün ord. Other palaces were the White Palace (Tsagaan süm, or Gьngaa dejidlin), and the Pandelin Palace (also called Naro Kha Chod süm), which was situated on the left bank of the Tuul River. Some of the palaces were also used for religious purposes.[2]

Built between 1893 and 1903, the complex is one of the few Mongolian historical attractions which have neither been destroyed by the Soviets or the Communist forces.[3] With the Winter Palace, the Gate of Peace and Happiness, the Cooling Pavilion as well as 6 temples, each containing Buddhist artwork, scripture and thangka,[4] such as Naidan Temple and Makhranz Temple, the palace complex consists of a total of about 20 structures. The museum has about 8,600 exhibits and receives over 40,000 visitors annually. On display are many of the Bogd Khan's possessions, such as his throne and bed, his collection of art and stuffed animals, his ornate ceremonial ger, a pair of ceremonial boots given to the Khan by Russian Tsar Nicholas II, and also a jewelled regalia worn by the Bogd Khan's pet elephant.[5][6] It currently runs its operations under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports of Mongolia.

References edit

  1. ^ Majer, Zsuzsa; Teleki, Krisztina. "Monasteries and Temples of Bogdiin Khьree, Ikh Khьree or Urga, the Old Capital City of Mongolia in the First Part of the Twentieth Century" (PDF). Budapest: Documentation of Mongolian Monasteries. p. 36. Retrieved January 30, 2009.
  2. ^ Majer, Zsuzsa; Teleki, Krisztina. "Monasteries and Temples of Bogdiin Khьree, Ikh Khьree or Urga, the Old Capital City of Mongolia in the First Part of the Twentieth Century" (PDF). Budapest: Documentation of Mongolian Monasteries. p. 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
  3. ^ "Bogd Khan Palace Museum; Ulan Bator attractions".
  4. ^ "Must see attractions in Ulaanbaatar, [object Object]".
  5. ^ Museums to Highlight
  6. ^ Kohn, Michael Lonely Planet Mongolia 4th edition, 2005 ISBN 1-74059-359-6, p. 63

External links edit

  Media related to Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan at Wikimedia Commons

  • legendtour.ru | Winter Palace of Bogd Khaan
  • Article on the Winter Palace
  • article on the Winter Palace
  • The Bogd Khaan Palace Museum at Google Cultural Institute