Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder

The Ho Dynasty Citadel was Vietnam’s capital under the Ho Dynasty (1398-1407). Located in Vinh Loc district, it is the only citadel in Vietnam built entirely of stones and remained nearly intact.
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 1The citadel has four gates placed following the cardinal points. In the photo is the Tien gate, facing south. It consists of three entrances, each is 9.5 m tall and 15.17 m wide. (Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 2 An excavation in the southern gate unearthed a bluestone road connecting the entrance with the Nam Giao worship area. The inner road was considered the most intact among roads from the feudal period found in Vietnam.(Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 3The fortification wall was made of blue stones placed on top of each other without adhesive. Scientists estimated about 20,000 m3 of stones were used to build the entire citadel. (Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 4(Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 5(Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 6One of the two stone dragons placed outside the citadel. Both lost their heads (Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 7Pattern carved on the dragons (Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 8A poem carved on the western gate (Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 9Stone balls were found during excavation at the site. They were assumed to be used in the transportation of heavy stones for construction of the citadel (Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 10Artefacts unearthed at the citadel (Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 11The Ho Dynasty Citadel was recognised by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in 2011. (Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 12Now outside the citadel are corn fields, rice paddies and earth roads. (Photo: VNA)
Ho Dynasty Citadel - a stone wonder ảnh 13(Photo: VNA)
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