Drophan Ling Temple

POLAND, Darnkow

The temple was founded by the Polish Buddhist Khordong Association in the mountains near Darnkow in Poland. Construction began in 1999 and the temple was officially opened in 2007. As the only building of its kind in Poland, and one of only a few such buildings in Europe, Drophan Ling Temple is built and decorated according to traditional Bhutanese design.
The temple site measures 7 ha. The main building has three stories with a four-pillar portico at the front, leading to the main shrine. Above the portico there is a balcony and a gable roof with extended eaves. A traditional red ocher band runs along the top of the second story. The third story occupies a smaller area and the gable wall is not aligned with the front façade. The roof is in a cruciform shape with gable ends facing the four directions. The building was constructed by Bhutanese workmen and is decorated from floor to ceiling with traditional paintings. There is also a Tibetan-style stupa within the temple grounds.