What structures will be restored inside Dien Hai citadel?

Along with the demolition of the Da Nang Museum (old facility), many structures will be restored in the inner city of the special national relic Dien Hai citadel (Hai Chau Ward, Da Nang City).

The special national relic Dien Hai citadel located in the heart of Da Nang city is entering a large-scale restoration phase, after many years of preparing scientific documents, seminars and consulting experts.

If phase 1 of the project (from 2018) mainly focused on relocating residents, clearing unsuitable structures, restoring the wall system, moats and landscape improvement, phase 2 will be a major renovation and restoration of the "heart" of the inner citadel with an area of ​​nearly 1 hectare.

Dien Hai Citadel is a key position, the central position of the famous military defense line. This defense line is an earthen rampart running from Dien Hai Citadel surrounding the old Hai Chau, Phuoc Ninh, and Thac Gian forts. Perspective shows that Dien Hai Citadel has 3 entrance gates.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY DANANG MUSEUM

According to the construction drawing design, inside the citadel will be recreated many important structures that existed nearly 200 years ago, such as the eastern gate, the wooden bridge at the western gate, and the majestic flagpole in the south - a symbol of military power at one time.

In addition, the gun house used to display and preserve 14 cannons associated with the historical battles to defend Dien Hai citadel was also restored. The shrine in the southwest corner and the statue of famous general Nguyen Tri Phuong were also restored to pay tribute to the great contributions of our ancestors in the early days of resistance against the French (1858 - 1860).

The Da Nang Museum (old facility) right inside the city center will be demolished to make room for other projects.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Notably, a completely underground exhibition space will be built, including the main exhibition room and a 3D virtual reality experience room, connected to a system of explanations and performances to help the public better visualize the appearance and strategic role of Dien Hai citadel in history.

Additional items such as rest houses, technical areas, and internal walkways are also designed in harmony, not obscuring the view and overall ancient architecture.

In addition, many areas of the inner citadel will be surveyed archaeologically to determine the original architectural traces, thereby restoring them more accurately. Inappropriate modern elements such as cement roads and outdoor helicopter displays will be removed from the inner citadel.

Of the three gates, the southern gate is identified as the main gate. This gate is still quite intact (after many restorations).

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Thanh Nien would like to introduce a photo series about Dien Hai citadel with the hope of helping viewers have a close-up view as well as being able to visualize the location of ancient structures that are about to be "revived" inside the ancient citadel:

The ancient-looking southern gate will be a reference when the authorities restore the eastern gate.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

The east gate only has an access bridge and a part of the wall pillar. According to the general planning of Da Nang city, the east gate has a very important position in connecting with the surrounding areas. Based on old documents, the location, scale, size, shape of the remaining wall, the east gate will be restored.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

After phase 1, Dien Hai citadel has revealed more foundations of the west gate. According to many documents, the west gate has been closed since 1859. Phase 2 has not yet restored the west gate but only built a new bridge to connect the space, at the same time suggesting more about the image of the ancient citadel as a whole.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Outside the citadel, the wall and moat system has been restored according to ancient architecture.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Helicopters previously displayed in the system connected to the Da Nang Museum will be moved elsewhere.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

The land near the helicopter will be used to rebuild the flagpole. According to the proposal, the flagpole will be oriented to the south-east.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

French photo documents dated September 2, 1858 show that the gun house has a 5-compartment design. Da Nang City will display 12 cannons in the gun house, 2 in front of the flagpole and will collect 2 more to display in the gun house.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

The statue of General Nguyen Tri Phuong was built in 1986. The image of the statue has been deeply imprinted in the minds of the people of Da Nang in particular and the people of the whole country in general. Therefore, when restoring, the stone statue will be reused, the pedestal will be embellished, and granite will be used to cover the pedestal surface to create solemnity and increase sustainability.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Dien Hai Citadel is a rare relic remaining from the early days of fighting against the French colonialists who invaded our country in the mid-19th century. It is a symbol of patriotism and the indomitable fighting spirit of the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Da Nang in particular in the cause of building and defending the country.

Under the command of famous general Nguyen Tri Phuong, the Da Nang defense line was held firmly, the French army could not expand the occupied area and was bogged down in Da Nang for 18 months.

The Battle of Da Nang (1858-1860) was a battle of great significance in the history of our country. This was the first battle in which our army faced an expeditionary army equipped with modern equipment, with great achievements of the first industrial revolution in Europe.

According to many historians, this battle opened the modern period in Vietnamese history and Dien Hai citadel is an important remaining witness of this battle.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ben-trong-thanh-dien-hai-se-phuc-dung-nhung-cong-trinh-nao-185250915125152452.htm