Hue Imperial Citadel and Purple Forbidden City

August 02, 2016

The Hue Imperial Citadel is like something you would see on the big screen. The oriental architecture of this fascinating place makes me stop to breathe in the amazing and picturesque city before me. Emperor Gia Long started construction on the Citadel in 1804. But his son didn’t complete the Citadel until some 30 years later. This place is absolutely huge. With the actual city running 2.5 km long and 2.5 km wide, with walls running up to 6 metres high. There are 10 entrances going into this glorious and ancient city with 24 bastions to count as well. As we enter the Imperial City through the moat which allows only one-way traffic I look up to the beauty and wonder that awaits our exploration.

Walking through the courtyard of the Hue Imperial Citadel, we come across the nine dynastic urns. These urns represent the 9 emperors in Vietnam, and once played a significant role in countless ceremonies of worship. They reach a minimum of 2.3 metres and weigh an immense 2 tonnes while empty. This is because they are entirely of bronze.

The Hue Imperial Citadel

The Purple Forbidden City

We make our way through bright red doorways with decorate gold engravings covering the span. Inside the city are contained beautiful gardens, ponds, and buildings.

The name of the Purple Forbidden City has an interesting story behind it. The law declared that only man who could access the city was the emperor. It provided execution for any other man who entered. The law only provided exception for the eunuchs who were servants as they would pose no threat to the royal concubines. It was also home to the Queen Mother as well as empresses. However, nowadays anyone may enter.

I take a deep breath and wonder at how people could have lived in such a diffferent way then we are accustomed to. As I open my eyes, I am thankful for the freedoms I have as a woman in the modern world.