View of Wat Maha Samanaram from the royal observatory on Khao Wang hill.
Just west of Petchburi's city center is a three peaked hill locally called Khao Wang, which translates to "Palace Hill". In the 1850s, King Rama IV (Mongkut) commissioned a summer palace to be built on the northern-most peak. Before he became king, Mongkut spent many years as a monk. During that time, he had spent many nights in the temple at the base of Khao Wang.
A monkey in a tree takes a drink of water.
The palace was given the name Phra Nakhon Khiri, which means "celestial city on a hill". The palace complex includes the Phetchaphum Phairot Throne Hall, which also houses the royal bedchamber, dressing room and dining room, presented much as they appeared during the King's time. Behind the throne hall is the Pramot Mahaisawan Hall, believed to have been the Queen's living quarters. At the top of the hill is the Wetchaya Wichian Maha Prasat, and old style prang that served as the center of worship for the palace.
Next to the prasat is a chapel-like hall used as a Dhama ("truth") discourse room by the King. The main complex ends with a two story cylindrical Chatchawan Wang Chai tower used as an observatory by the King, who was an avid and accomplished astronomer.
A "motorcycle monkey" spotted at the top of the cable car.
North of the main complex is the Santhakhan Sathan Hall, used to receive foreign visitors. South of the complex, the King had a large white chedi called Phrathat Chomphet built to house an old shrine. East of Phrathat Chomphet are several buildings of Wat Maha Samanaram.
The top of Phra Nakhon Khiri is most easily reached via the cable car tram that departs from a station at the eastern base of the hill. Cost for the tram and admission to the museum is 90 Baht (2.34 USD).
All of the buildings of the palace and its temples sit in the midst of a forest of frangipani trees that covers the entire hill. Making their home in the forest as well as the palace complex are several troupes of monkeys, pig-tailed macaques to be exact. Although not as aggressive as those at Lopburi, the monkeys can still be a nuisance. You need to be careful with your belongings.