IMPERIAL CITADEL THÂNG LONG

On July 31, 2010, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long became the ^900th site to be inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The citadel occupies an area bounded by Hoàng Diêu street to the west, Nguyên Tri Phuong street to the east, the Army Club to the south and Phan Dinh Phung street to the north. The citadel was only recently opened to the public, on October 2, 2004, as part of the celebrations marking the ^50th anniversary of the liberation of the capital (October 10).

The citadel was originally built in 1010 when King Ly Thai Tô transferred the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long. It is an interlocking of three distinct cities: in the center, the Purple City (Dragon-Phoenix, Long Phuong), royal residence under the Ly and Trân dynasties. Secondly, the imperial city and then the citadel, the outermost element (La Thanh or Dai La Thanh). In 1805, the Nguyên dynasty (whose capital was Hué) transformed the Forbidden City into a residence for mandarins stationed in the North. During the colonial period, the French destroyed the citadel and transformed the area into military quarters.

Four structures have survived: on a central south-north axis, the Doan Môn Gate (South Gate), the Kinh Thiên Palace, the Concubines' Pavilion (Hâu Lâu) and the North Gate (Bac Môn or Cua Bac).

The Doan Môn Gate was the ceremonial entrance to the Forbidden City to the south. It features original ^15th-century parts and parts restored in the ^19th century. Built in the Chinese brick style, it is topped by a two-storey pavilion.

In 2012, excavations north of the Doan Môn gate revealed the presence of a brick hydraulic structure dating back to the Ly dynasty (^11th century). Numerous hypotheses have been put forward as to its use, including that of symbolic irrigation to bring water, an important element in Feng Shui, to the imperial court and the country, bringing longevity and prosperity.

The Kinh Thiên Palace dates back to the early ^15th century. It was destroyed by the French in 1886. All that remains today are the staircases and carved stone dragons. The palace lies at the heart of the Forbidden City and was used for the coronation of kings. From the remains, we can imagine it built on a raised platform, surrounded by a veranda and accessed by large side staircases. The double roof was supported by wooden pillars. The stone dragons bear the hallmarks of the Lê dynasty style.

The Concubines' Pavilion is a brick construction topped by a multi-roofed structure. Designed for court ladies, it was built in the ^19th century and rebuilt during the colonial period.

The North Gate (Bac Môn), rebuilt in 1805, is also made of brick, but the corners are reinforced with stone. It features lotus flower motifs. The steles are engraved with three characters meaning "Main Gate of the North" (Chinh Bac Môn). Traces of cannonballs are proof, say Vietnamese guides, of French aggression against Tonkin. A stone plaque engraved in French reads: "April 25, 1882, bombardment of the citadel by the gunboats Surprise and Fanfare".