Content in this edit is translated from the existing Vietnamese Wikipedia article at [[:vi:Hoàng thành Huế]]; see its history for attribution.
{{Translated|vi|Hoàng thành Huế}}
The Imperial City (Vietnamese: Hoàng thành; chữ Hán: 皇城) is a walled enclosure within the Vauban style citadel (Kinh thành; chữ Hán: 京城) of the city of Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyễn dynasty. It contains the palaces that housed the imperial family, as well as shrines, gardens, and offices for mandarins. Constructed in 1804 under Emperor Gia Long as a new capital and later re-model and enlarge in current scale in 1833. It mostly served as ceremonial function and imperial residence during the French colonial period. After the end of the monarchy in 1945, it suffered heavy damage and neglect during the Indochina Wars through the 1980s. The Imperial City was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 as part of The Complex of Huế Monuments and is undergoing restoration.
In June 1802, after more than a century of division and the defeat of the Tây Sơn dynasty, lord Nguyễn Phúc Ánh ascended the throne of a unified Vietnam and proclaimed himself Emperor Gia Long. With a nation now stretching from the Red River Delta to the Mekong Delta, Emperor Gia Long chose the ancestral seat of Nguyễn Lords as well as former capital of Tây Sơn dynasty. Adopting Confucianism and Chinese models of statecraft" as the best methods of absolute authority, he ordered the construction of a palace complex based on Beijing's Forbidden City model at Huế.[1] Geomancers were consulted as to a propitious location site for the new city, and construction of Vauban style citadel and the imperial palace began in 1803 and 1804 respectively. Thousands of workers were ordered to build the walled citadel and ringing moat, measuring some 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long. The original earthwork was later reinforced and faced with brick and stone resulting in 2 m (6 ft 7 in)-thick ramparts.[2]
The citadel was oriented to face the Hương River (Perfume River) to the southeast. This differs from Beijing's Forbidden City, which faces true south. Rather than concentric rings centered on the emperor's palace, the imperial residence itself is offset toward the southeast side of the citadel, nearer the river. A second set of tall walls and a second moat were constructed around this Imperial City, within which many edifices were added in a series of gated courtyards, gardens, pavilions and palaces. The entire complex was the seat of power until the imposition of the French protectorate in the 1880s. Thereafter it existed mostly to carry on symbolic traditions until the Nguyễn dynasty was ousted in 1945, with the Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The abdication ceremony of Emperor Bảo Đại took place at the Imperial City on 30 August 1945.[3]
In its prime, the Purple Forbidden City had many buildings and hundreds of rooms. Once vacated, it suffered from neglect, termite ravages, and inclement weather including a number of cyclones. Most destructive were man-made crises, as evidenced by the bullet holes still visible from the military conflicts of the 20th century.[2]
Major losses occurred in 1947 when the Việt Minh seized the Citadel in February. The French led counter-attack operations where they laid siege and engaged in a six-week ensuing battle which destroyed many of the major structures. The core of the city, including the Imperial Palace, was burned.[4]
The Citadel came under fire again in the early morning of January 31, 1968. As part of the Tet Offensive, a Division-sized force of the People's Army of Vietnam and Viet Cong soldiers launched a coordinated attack on Huế, seizing most of the city. During the initial phases of the Battle of Huế, due to Huế's religious and cultural status, United States Marines troops were ordered not to bomb or shell the city, for fear of destroying the historic structures; but as casualties mounted in house-to-house fighting, these restrictions were progressively lifted and the fighting caused substantial damage to the Imperial City.[5] Viet Cong troops occupied some portions of the citadel while South Vietnamese troops occupied others; and allied warplanes targeted the anti-aircraft guns the communists had mounted on the citadel's outer towers.[6] Out of 160 buildings, only 10 major sites remain after the battle, such as the Thái Hòa and Cần Thanh temples, Thế Miếu, and Hiển Lâm Các.
The city was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 as part of the Complex of Huế Monuments. The buildings that remain are being restored and preserved. The latest, and so far largest, restoration project was planned to conclude in 2015.[7]
The grounds of the Imperial City are protected by fortified ramparts 2 by 2 kilometres (1.2 by 1.2 mi), and ringed by a moat. The water in the moat is routed from the Hương River through a series of sluice gates. This enclosure is the citadel (Kinh thành).
Inside the citadel is the Imperial City (Hoàng thành; 皇城), with a perimeter wall some 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in length.
Within the Imperial City is the Purple Forbidden City (Tử cấm thành; 紫禁城), a term identical to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Access to the innermost enclosure was restricted to the imperial family.[citation needed]
The Citadel has 10 gates including:
The building was built in 21/2/1805 and finished in October of the same year at the ground of Can Chanh hall. Then, it was rebuilt in 1833 and moved to the current location. This is the most important ceremonial building inimperial palace and used for some special ceremony such as enthronement, Emperor's birthday, foreign diplomacy meeting and court meeting twice in 1st and 15th day of each month in lunar calendar. All 13 Emperors of Nguyễn Dynasty from Gia Long to Bảo Đại coronated at this hall.
The palace's original role was a royal garden, where the Nguyen Dynasty Emperors invited their mothers to visit and enjoy the scenery. Later, the palace was converted into living palace for a number of Empress Mothers and Grand Empress Mothers
The residence of the Empress Mothers or Grand Queen Mothers of the Nguyen Dynasty
Temple worshiping Nguyễn Kim - Founder of the Nguyễn clan and father of Nguyen HoangHoàng - the first lord of Cochinchina - Đàng Trong (16th–18th centuries). Triệu Tổ Temple was built during the reign of the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, in the 3rd year of Gia Long (1804).
Temple worshiping 9 Nguyen lords and their great mandarins, generals, built in the 3rd year of Emperor Gia Long (1804)
Temple worshiping Nguyễn Phúc Luân and Nguyễn Thị Hoàn, the parent of the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty (Gia Long) , built in the 3rd year of Emperor Gia Long (1804)
The temple where the royal court came to worship the deceased emperors. Women in the court (including the queen) were not allowed to attend these ceremonies.
The hall was used to worship Emperors and Empresses of the Nguyen Dynasty. Unlike The other temples accessed only by men, this palace allowed women to come and worship. The place was destroyed in the Vietnam war.
It is an architectural work located in the Hue urban complex, in the church area, built in 1821 and completed in 1822 under the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, along with The Mieu. Showing the areas located in the worship area in the Hue Imperial Citadel, it is 17 m high and is the tallest structure in the Imperial Citadel. This is considered a monument to remember the achievements of the Nguyen emperors and the great mandarins, generals of the dynasty.
Càn Thành palace is the complex of building located inside imperial palace and also known as purple forbidden city (Tử Cấm Thành, 紫禁城). This was the residence and working office of the emperors as well as offices of the court mandarins. Most of them were destroyed in 1947 by Viet Minh and there is the ongoing progress in restoring the buildings after the war.
The great gate to enter Càn Thành palace with 3 doors, of which the main door is only for the Emperor. Currently, this royal gate has become a ruin due to being burned during the Viet Minh resistance campaign in February 1947.
Ta Vu is the building for literary mandarins, while Huu Vu is the building for martial mandarins; This is where mandarins prepare ceremonies before holding and where Thi Đình (Palace exam) and royal banquets are held. Ta Vu and Huu Vu were both built in the 18th year of Emperor Gia Long (1819)
It was built in 7th year of Ming Mạng (1826) behind Ta Vu building to store the imperial documents and archives. It was also called Thư viện Nội Các (書院内閣), managed by Grand Secretariat of Đông Các (Đông Các Đại học sĩ, 東閣大學士). The upper-floor was used to store the documents such as:
It was the working office of emperor built in 1804, rebuilt in 1827, 1850, 1899 where the emperor held daily court, working, received diplomatic envoys, and held royal and court banquets of the Nguyễn Dynasty. The emperor will hold the court meeting in 5th, 10th, 20th and 25th day of every lunar month. In the middle of the main house, the Sập is placed. On the columns on both sides are hung mirror paintings showing the beautiful scenery of the capital and maps of the provinces in the country. The palace is also a place to display many treasures of the Nguyen Dynasty such as rare Vietnamese porcelain, golden and jade royal seal of the dynasty. Currently, this palace has become a ruin due to being burned during the Viet Minh resistance campaign in February 1947.
Working place of martial mandarins, next to Right hall (Hữu Vu), destroyed in 1947 by Viet Minh. It was used by emperor Kiến Phúc as Kinh Diên Viện (經筵院), the study room of learning Historical documents such as Chinese Four Books and Five Classics and the other historical lesson.
Working place of civil mandarins, next to Left Hall (Tả Vu), destroyed in 1947 by Viet Minh. Emperor Thành Thái, Duy Tân and Khải Định used the place as Kinh Diên Viện (經筵院), the study room of learning Historical documents such as Chinese Four Books and Five Classics and the court meeting place (The emperor only used Cần Chánh Hall for court meeting if it is important situation.).
The hall was built in 10th year of Gia Long (1811) with original name Trung Hòa Điện (中和殿), it gained the current name in 8th lunar month of 20th year of Ming Mạng (1839). This building was the residence of the Emperor until 1923 when it was moved to Kien Trung Palace. It was also used for private meeting with court mandarins. When the Emperor died, his coffin would be lied in state here before moving to mausoleum. Càn Thành hall was also used to store many treasures such as rare porcelain items as well as royal seals made of gold and jade; royal metal books; a casket containing a golden royal genealogy; national history books ; official dispatches, documents; maps. This palace was destroyed during the Viet Minh resistance campaign in February 1947.
It is located on the right side of Hall of Càn Thành, used as the residence of crown prince.
it was built in Gia long 's era (1802-1820) on the left side of Hall of Càn Thành and used as residence of first (Nhất giai Phi,一階妃) and second rank concubines (Nhị giai Phi,二階妃).
This is the main residence of the Empress consort of the Nguyễn Dynasty (demolished in Khai Dinh's era to make space for Kien Trung palace's front garden.). The main building of the palace is the hall of Cao Minh Trung Chính (高明中政殿) where Empress consort conducted her daily life.
it is located on the right side of Hall of Khôn Thái, built in 9th year of Gia Long (1810) and used as the place for the Emperor to read books
Kien Trung hall is a new residence building of the Nguyễn Dynasty in the Forbidden City (Hue) built by Emperor Khải Định from 1921-1923 at the same time as his tomb was built to serve as the emperor's living space in the royal palace. It was later also the place where his son - Emperor Bảo Đại and the imperial family lived and worked. Besides that, it was the main workplace of the court until the dynasty ended in August 1945. Kien Trung Palace is located at the northernmost point of the axis running through the center of the Forbidden City. The style of the palace is a fusion of European styles including French architecture, Italian Renaissance architecture, and traditional Vietnamese architecture. The facade of the palace is decorated with colorful ceramic pieces. In front of the palace is a landscape garden, with three dragon-covered stairs leading up to the palace steps. The main floor has 13 porch doors: the middle compartment has 5 doors, the two side compartments each have 3 doors, the two corners of the palace have two more doors on each side that protrude completely. The upper floor is the attic, made in the same format as the main floor. On top is a tiled roof with railings decorated in Vietnamese style.
The Imperial theatre was built in 7th year of Ming Mạng (1824-1826) on the ground of former theatre Thanh Phong Đường(青豊堂). It was used to host some special events of imperial courts like emperor's birthday. Tuồng and court music (Nhã nhạc) was performed by here as the favorite of the imperial families.
It was the working office of private doctors of emperor and imperial family members. It was founded in 1802 and finished in 1804. The department was responsible for health care in imperial palace as well as suggesting diet plans and recording documents of medicine with treatment process.
Imperial kitchen responsible for imperial families's meal.
The building was used as the studying room of princes when they turn 12-13 years old until they reach adulthood (15 years old from Vietnamese law in 19th-20th century), they would be allowed to move out of imperial palace to build their own homes.
The French-style building built in 1932 by emperor Bảo Đại, located on right side of Kiến Trung Lâu as working place for cabinet ministers. This is the latest building in Imperial palace.
These are the residences of the harem of the Nguyễn Dynasty located on the right side of Càn Thành Hall. According to history records, there are 11 institutions totally. Most of them was destroyed in 1947 during French-Vietnamese war and the rest was demolished by emperor Bảo Đại when he returned to this place in 1949. Those included:
It was built in Gia Long's era (1802-1820) as a residence for concubines from third (Tam giai Tần,三階嬪), fourth rank (Tứ giai Tần,四階嬪) and fifth (Ngũ giai Tần,五階嬪) rank.
It was built in the 8th year of Ming Mạng (1827) as a residence for concubines of the Sixth rank (Lục giai Tiệp dư,六階婕妤).
It was built in the 2nd year of Ming Mạng (1821) as a residence for concubines from the Seventh "(Thất giai Quý nhân,七階貴人), eighth (Bát giai Mỹ nhân,八階美人) and ninth ranks (Cửu giai Tài nhân,九階才人).
It was built in the 3rd year of Ming Mạng (1822) as a residence for concubines from the Seventh "(Thất giai Quý nhân,七階貴人), eighth (Bát giai Mỹ nhân,八階美人) and ninth ranks (Cửu giai Tài nhân,九階才人).
It was built in the 3rd year of Thiệu Trị (1843) as a residence for concubines from the Seventh "(Thất giai Quý nhân,七階貴人), eighth (Bát giai Mỹ nhân,八階美人) and ninth ranks (Cửu giai Tài nhân,九階才人).
It was built in the 6th year of Thiệu Trị (1846) as a residence for concubines from the seventh "(Thất giai Quý nhân,七階貴人), eighth (Bát giai Mỹ nhân,八階美人) and ninth ranks (Cửu giai Tài nhân,九階才人).
it was a residence for concubines from Seventh "(Thất giai Quý nhân,七階貴人), eighth (Bát giai Mỹ nhân,八階美人) and ninth rank (Cửu giai Tài nhân,九階才人).
it was built in 18th year of Ming Mạng (1837) as residence for concubines of Former Emperor.
The garden is famous for its Van Tu Hoi Lang structure, which has a meandering corridor shaped like the letter Swastika in Buddhism (卍) located in the center running out to four sides. At the 4 corners of this corridor, there are 4 small architectural works, including 2 houses and 2 halls. It was built in 1828 during the reign of Emperor Minh Mạng
It was located in the left side of Hall of Càn Thành, built in Gia Long's era (1802-1820) as the part of royal garden demolished by Emperor Thiệu Trị in 1841 to build the new private buddhist temple for emperor, namely (Nhật Thành Lâu,日成樓).
It was built in 1837 during the reign of Emperor Minh Mạng
Thai Binh Lau is a two-story wooden building located in the middle of a rectangle 32m wide and 58m long. The project was ordered by Emperor Khai Dinh to be built in 1919, and completed in 1921, so that the emperor could relax, reading, sightseeing and composing poetry. Thai Binh Lau was restored in 1990-1991.
It is located in the left side of Hall of Càn Thành, originally ground of the hall of Minh Thận(明慎殿), demolished by Emperor Thiệu Trị in 1841 to build the new private buddhist temple for the Emperor. It was destroyed in 1947 and again in 1968, and fully rebuilt in 2018.