Structure of Thang Long Capital City and Location of Forbidden City over Historical Periods

Tóm tắt

Abstract: In the paper, the author provides supplementary information to the issues of the structure of the Thang Long capital city with its changes through historical periods. The citadel, with its three enclosed citadels/ramparts, witnessed ups and downs from the Ly dynasty (1009-1226) to the Restored Le dynasty (1593 - 1789). The outer citadel was called “Dai La” or “La” citadel, the middle citadel was called “Long” (Dragon), or “Phuong” (Phoenix) citadel during the Ly and Tran dynasties, “Imperial Citadel” under the Le dynasty, and the inner citadel had the name of “Cam” (Forbidden) or “Cung” (Palace) citadel. According to historical and archaeological data, the archaeological site unearthed at No. 18, Hoang Dieu Street is located in proximity to the centre of the Forbidden Citadel. It is highly significant that the Forbidden Citadel of the Le dynasty was located nearly in the same position as the one of the Ly and Tran periods. As a result, many architectural relics and artefacts with typical features of the imperial palaces of the capital of Thang Long from 1010 to 1788 were found at the archaeological site and the location of the ancient Hanoi citadel.