IMPERIAL CITY = HOANG THANH * - 622 meters X 606 meters * - Bounded by 4 meter-high plastered brick wall * - Surrounded by a water filled ditch. * - A gate served by one or more bridges gives access to each side of the imperial city. This outer wall of Capital City contains, near its southern front, the Imperial City, Hoang Thanh, and within that lies the forbidden Purple City, Tu Cam Thanh - the symbolic heart of the kingdom. The Imperial City incorporates all the most beautiful and magnificent stylistic aspects of the old capitals. There are the stone-carving styles of Hoa Lu and the works of the most skillful craftsmen from Ninh Binh Province. The influence of Thang Long (Ancient name Hanoi) is evident here, not only in its style but in the materials used. It is bounded by a perimeter 622 meters long and 606 meters across, with brick walls four meters high and nearly one meter thick, its total area being 37.5 hectares. There is a gate on each side; the front and most important one is Ngo Mon (Noon Gate), which was the main entrance of the city, and traditionally reserved for the King. It is no mere gate, but an imposing brick construction surmounted by famous Lau Ngu Phung (Watchtower of the Five Phoenixes). Inside of the Imperial City is the Forbidden Purple city FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY = TU CAM THANH * - 330 meters X 324 meters * - Tu Cam Thanh form the symbolic heart of the Kingdom and is reserved for the king's family. * - To the north of the Palace of Supreme Harmony = Dien Thai Hoa, opens the Great Golden Gate, entrance to the Forbidden Purple City. * - Tu Cam Thanh groups together in 10 hectares the palaces and private buildings here were the most majestic and richly- decorated of Hue but, Unfortunately, for the most part only the foundations remain after Communist set fired in 1947. Please look at Imperial City map menu for details.
