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Centrally located between Phou Si Hill and the Mekong River, the former Royal Palace (Mon-Fri 8.30am-noon & 1-4pm; 5000K) is now a museum preserving the paraphernalia of Laos's recently extinguished monarchy. It was constructed in 1904 by the French and displays a tasteful fusion of European and Lao design. The pediment over the main entrance is decorated with the symbol of the Lao monarchy: Airavata, the three-headed elephant, being sheltered by the sacred white parasol. This is surrounded by the intertwining bodies of the fifteen guardian naga of Louang Phabang; the naga is a sacred water serpent, both a symbol of water and its life-giving properties and a protector of the Lao people. At the far end of the gallery to the right of the main entrance is a small, barred room that once served as the king's personal shrine room. It is here that the Pha Bang , the most sacred Buddha image in Laos, is being kept until the completion of the Haw Pha Bang - the temple in the eastern corner of the palace compound. The Pha Bang is believed to possess miraculous powers that safeguard the country. According to legend, it was crafted in the heavens and then delivered, via Sri Lanka and Cambodia, to the city of Xiang Dong Xiang Thong, later renamed Louang Phabang (the Great Pha Bang) in its honour. In the early eighteenth century the Pha Bang was moved to Vientiane, whence it was stolen twice by the Siamese (who always returned it, believing it to be bad luck); since 1867, the Pha Bang has been kept in Louang Phabang. The most impressive room inside the palace is the dazzling Throne Hall , its high walls spangled with mosaics of multi-coloured mirrors. On display here are rare articles of royal regalia: swords of hammered silver and gold, an elaborately decorated fly-whisk and even the king's own howdah (elephant saddle). Also on exhibit are a cache of small crystal, silver and bronze Buddha images taken from the inner chamber of the"Watermelon Stupa" at Wat Visoun. Other rooms show theatrical masks and musical instruments used by the royal dance troupe in their performances of the Ramayana, diplomatic gifts presented to the people of Laos by a handful of nations, and larger-than-life portraits of King Sisavang Vattana, his wife and their son, painted by a Soviet artist.
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