|
HTML clipboard
Location: Hue Citadel is situated on the
Northern bank of the Perfume River.
Characteristic: With an area of 500ha and a
system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh
Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh
(Forbidden Citadel).
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 honoring 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.
|
