Hue Citadel
Location:
Hue Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River.Hue has chosen to
be the capital city of the Southern Kingdom by all Lords Nguyen and officially
became the capital under Tay Son Dynasty. For approximately 400 years, Hue has
become a great landscape and architectural site. Hue royal complex has been
officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Ngu Binh Mountain in the south is used as a front screening elevation. Two sand
dunes of The Con Hen and Con Da Vien on the Perfume River are chosen as geomancy
condition "dragon on the left, tiger on the right" to protect the capital city.
Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel)
This construction stared in 1805 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and
completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang. Under Nguyen Dynasty,
the Kings had ordered to build ramparts, palaces and constructional works for
royal. Over 200 years to now, it is still original with nearly 140 small and
large constructions.
The Citadel, square in shape, is almost 10km in circumference, 6m high, 21m
thick and 10 entrances. On the top of the walls that surround it, 24 bastions
are established for defensive purposes. Besides, the Citadel has an ancillary
gate connecting the Tran Binh Bastion called the Thai Binh Mon (Peace Gate).
Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel or Imperial City)
The Imperial City is located in the centre of the Citadel where established
highest offices of Vietnam's feudalism and sanctums honouring the cult of
decreased Emperors. The Citadel, also has a nearly square form, with more than
600m long for each side, built of brick 4m high, 1m thick, around which is
ditched a system of protection trench. Access to the Imperial City can be made
by four entrance gates. Ngo Mon Gate is only used for the King. Royal Citadel
consists of more 100 beautiful constructional works divided many sectors:
- Sector for the Ngo Mon Gate and the Thai Hoa Palace: This is the
place for setting up various grand ceremonies.
- Sector for worship shrines of the Kings Nguyen: Trieu Mieu, Thai
Mieu, Hung Mieu, The Mieu and Phung Tien Temples.
- Sector for internal affairs office: Storehouse for precious objects,
workshop for manufacturing various useful articles.
- Sectors for the Kham Van Palace and the Co Ha Garden: place where the
princes are studying or enjoying.
Tu Cam Thanh
(Forbidden Citadel)
Located inside the Imperial City, behind the Throne Palace, the Forbidden
Purple Citadel is reserved for Emperor and his family. Constructed early under
reign of Emperor Gia Long in 1804 with brick walls of 3.72m high, 0.72m thick,
about 1,230m in circumference. Its front and back sides are 324m each while
either left and right side is more than 290m including 50 architectural
constructions of different sizes and 7 gates for facilities of entrance and
exit. Dai Cung Mon (the Great Palace Gate) is in the front side for the Kings.
Can Chanh Palace (the place for daily working of Emperors). Can Thanh (Emperor's
Private Palace), Khon Thai Residence (Queen's Private Apartment) reserved for
the Queen. Duyet Thi Duong house (Royal Theatre), Thuong Thien (the kitchen for
the Kings' food), Thai Binh Lau (King's reading room)...
In addition, there are also famous royal tombs and temples of Kings Nguyen
outside Hue Citadel. Seven tombs with different aspect are not only a wonderful
arch but also combining beautiful, imposing nature and poetic of Hue. Ancient
Hue including Perfume River and Ngu Mountain, palaces and citadels, tombs and
temples with hundred of historic years are being embellished and recovered by
material contribution of Vietnamese and International community in order to keep
Hue City as World cultural heritage.
Source: Vietnam Administration of Tourism |