More than just an outstanding architectural work, the ancient citadel of Quang Tri is a historical witness, a witness to a fierce but glorious resistance war of the nation. If you have the opportunity to visit the land of Quang Tri, do not forget to visit the ancient citadel to relive that glorious and proud battle period.
Someone said that if you come to Quang Tri without visiting the Citadel, you have not set foot in this place. Quang Tri ancient citadel (also known as Quang Tri ancient citadel) is located in the center of Quang Tri town, Quang Tri province, 2km from National Highway 1A to the North, 500m from Thach Han River to the East.
Ancient City Gate
The citadel has a typical architecture of a military citadel with four corners jutting out, used as a guarding fortress. The citadel has a circumference of 2,080m, the wall is 4.29m high, the base of the wall is 12.75m thick. The citadel has front, rear, left and right gates built in the shape of a rolling arch, with a gazebo on top. Outside the citadel is surrounded by a moat, inside there are architectural works such as: Hanh Cung, flagpole, Tuan Vu palace, murder palace, soldier’s palace, Ty Phien, Ty Niet, granary, soldier’s house…
The door is built with a rolling arch, above there is a gazebo, surrounded by a moat…
According to historical records, Quang Tri citadel was built in Gia Long’s time, at first it was just a citadel. It was not until the reign of King Minh Mang that it was built with bricks (1837), becoming the economic, political and military center of Quang Tri province. During the period from 1809 to 1945, this place was used as a military stronghold and administrative headquarters for the Nguyen Dynasty. This is also the center of Quang Tri province during the French colonial period and the Southern government.
Not a mere architectural work but also a place marking the heroic history of the nation’s resistance war
The fierce fighting in 1972 was like a landmark that the ancient citadel and Quang Tri town went through. After 81 days and nights of smoke and fire (from June 28 to September 16, 1972), with the volume of bombs and bullets to be carried up to 328,000 tons, the citadel was almost flattened, only the East door was still quite intact. The wall and the outer trench system are full of bullet marks. It is also said that, although the number of martyrs who fell here cannot be counted, it is certain that every inch of the ancient citadel is soaked in his father’s blood.
The Battle of Quang Tri Citadel in 1972
Up to now, the relics and letters of the heroes who fought and heroically sacrificed to protect Quang Tri town are still preserved in the ancient citadel museum. And to commemorate that “red summer”, mentioning the ancient citadel of Quang Tri , people immediately think of the spiritual land, where those who are still alive after the war or the whole young people can now sit and review. back to a heroic time, living in the heroic atmosphere left by his father.
Relics of the war are still kept here
Stepping into the precincts of the ancient citadel is a whole green space, each lawn displays many monuments praising the glorious sacrifices of many fallen heroes and martyrs. On the grinding stones are engraved emotional verses: “Lightly step and speak softly / Let my teammates lie still in the grass / Quang Tri sky is clear and windy / Forever sings the song of Immortality to infinity” by veteran Citadel Pham Dinh Lan, or “Every time there is an Ancient Citadel in Vietnam/ A garland of fire connecting Khe Sanh/ The medal is difficult to cover every brick/ Every inch of earth every second of every leaf” (Tran Bach Dang). ..
Monument to heroes and martyrs with an impressive number of 81
The center of Quang Tri Citadel is the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs built to simulate a mass grave. To step up to the tower, visitors need to pass 81 steps – symbolizing 81 days and nights of fighting, even the incense tree is 8.1m high; Around there are 81 reliefs like 81 calendar sheets recording each day of the heroic battle, starting from June 28, ending on September 16, 1972.
One of the works that should not be missed during a visit to Quang Tri Citadel is the Quang Tri Citadel Museum . This is a place to display artifacts of the war, the “sacred” letters sent by soldiers to their homeland, in the middle of the gallery there is a black and white photo of the Citadel in 81 days and nights destroyed by bombs.
Citadel Museum
Before leaving the ancient citadel of Quang Tri, do not forget to look to the west to admire the quiet bell tower in the afternoon of Quang. Visitors can listen to this bell when coming on holidays and full moon days to honor the souls of martyrs.
Bell tower in the west of the city
The war has receded, now visitors to this place come to a bustling young urban area by the Thach Han River. But there, the special national relic of Quang Tri ancient citadel is still a place to save a painful but heroic period, a source of patriotism for the young generation. And if you visit the ancient citadel, don’t forget to stop by such as: Memorial House of General Secretary Le Duan, Ai Tu base airport in the American – puppet era, La Vang Church, Thach Han river wharf, Long Quang gate… to have a meaningful trip to Quang Tri.
Source: Collected internet.