Palace
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Mandalay Palace (The Royal Citadel)
Mandalay Palace is the last royal palace of the last Burmese monarchy, constructed between 1857 and 1859 by King Mindon as the centerpiece of his new royal capital city. Enclosed within a perfect square fort surrounded by a massive 70-metre-wide moat, the walled citadel represents the pinnacle of traditional Burmese royal architecture. Yet behind its gilded spires and royal thrones lies a dark history of royal intrigue, human foundation sacrifices, British colonial exile, and devastating World War II bombardments.