 The Dien Hai Citadel was formerly known as
Dien Hai Fortress built in 1813 in the 12th year of Gia
Long's reign by Danang's river. It was renamed in 1835, the 15th
year of Minh Mang's reign, after it was moved inland and rebuilt in
brick on a high mound in 1832, the 4th year of Minh
Mang's reign.In 1840 Deputy Minister of Labour Nguyen Cong Tru
inspected the defenses of Danang and commanded a more powerful
system for Dien Hai and An Hai citadel. In 1847 the 7th
of Thieu Tri's reign the perimeter of Dien Hai was expanded to 556 m
with a wall five m high surrounded by a ditch 3 m deep. The citadel
was designed with two gates, the main one opening to the south and
the other to the east. Inside, there were Hanh Cung (the royal
step-over place), Ky Dai (high pole platform), a storehouse for food
and ammunition and 30 large canon emplacement. The citadel was built in
brick in the square Vauban style of architecture Dien Hai citadel,
bearing the stamp of the tradition of the struggle of the people of
Danang and the nation in the persistent war against the French
colonialists to protect national independence and territory, made an
important contribution to the defeat of French invaders in Danang in
1858-1860.
Dien Hai citadel
was classified as a national historical relic by the Ministry of
Culture and Communications on 16 November 1998 and a stele was
permitted to be erected on 25 August 1998. |
