Tonga's Royal Palace tower taken down [1]
Monday, September 10, 2007 - 15:30. Updated on Saturday, October 25, 2014 - 11:04.
The Royal Palace, home of the Tongan royal family for about 140 years has lost its tower, temporarily, while it undergoes some restoration work.
The central tower, the main feature of the Palace has been taken down, giving the building an unusual look.
Leveni 'Aho, the Senior Architect with the Ministry of Works, said today that the work being done, "is just the restoration of the palace tower," and that it was long overdue since its structure was made unstable by Cyclone Isaac in 1982.
The work on the tower, being carried out by the Ministry of Works, started in May and is expected to be completed by November.
The white Victorian style Palace on the seafront in Nuku'alofa, will be a focal point of events at the Coronation of HM King George Tupou V in August 2008.