Different names
The Rear Pavilion is also known by various other names, such as the Tranquil North Pavilion, the Princess Pavilion, or the Rear Palace. Each name is associated with different interpretations.
Because it is the last building from the south-facing facade, this building is called the Rear Building or Rear Palace (the palace at the back).
Historical records state that the residence of the empress, concubines, and beautiful women was generally referred to as the Imperial Harem. The terms Hậu Lâu or Hậu Điện likely have a similar meaning to Hậu Cung.
In other words, it can be inferred that the Rear Pavilion – which has been restored and renovated many times and whose architecture has undergone many changes compared to the original – has been the residence of concubines, beauties, empresses, or princesses since its inception. Perhaps that is why the Rear Pavilion is also known as the Princess Pavilion.
Regarding the name Tĩnh Bắc Lâu, some believe that it originated from the meaning that this tower guarded the peace of the northern part of Thăng Long citadel.
However, it is also possible that this was the northern pavilion used as a resting and recuperation place for the royal family, hence its name, Jingbei Pavilion.
Each different name for the Rear Pavilion is associated with various interpretations. Perhaps specific research is needed to clarify the origin of each name for the Rear Pavilion. Only then can the true purpose of this building be determined.
Eastern-Western architectural fusion
According to traditional Vietnamese house construction patterns, houses are usually built facing south. This orientation helps to avoid the scorching sun from the east and west in the summer, and also protects against the cold north winds in the winter.
The palaces within the ancient Thang Long Imperial Citadel also paid great attention to the traditional orientation. Therefore, overall, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel faced south. The southern gates were called the front gates, while the northern gates were called the rear gates.
During the French bombing of Hanoi , the old Hau Lau building was destroyed. Later, the French rebuilt it to serve as a residence and workplace for their troops. Therefore, the current architecture of Hau Lau is a blend of Vietnamese and French imperial architecture.
Overall, the Rear Pavilion is a three-story building. The bottom floor is built in a box shape with three separate rooms. The two end rooms are accessed by two entrances from the front. Behind these two rooms is a closed corridor leading to the middle room. The middle room has no entrance from the front of the building, making it the most enclosed room. This room receives natural light from two arched windows at the rear of the building.
Right next to the two front entrances of the Rear Building are two arched spiral staircases leading up to the second floor.
The second floor of the Rear Pavilion is also divided into three rooms, but unlike the first floor, the middle room here is the most spacious with large main doors facing directly onto the front. The two side rooms on the second floor are also more spacious than the two side rooms on the first floor due to large doors facing east and west.
The rooms on this second floor all have cement roofs that mimic the architecture of ancient imperial palaces. The two rooms on either side have two tiers of eight-tiered, eight-cornered roofs decorated with dragon heads. The imitation cement tiles are made to look exactly like the tubular tiles on palace roofs. The central room has four roofs constructed similarly to the bottom tier of the two side rooms. Behind this central room is a small staircase leading to the third floor.
The third floor has only one room, and it's the most airy of all the rooms in the Rear Pavilion. This top-floor room opens in three directions (East, West, and South), with three large doors side-by-side in each direction. This is the ideal floor to enjoy the view below, feel the cool breeze, and admire the moon.
The top floor is covered with two layers of eight roofs. The roofs of this floor are also built in the style of imperial palace roofs, featuring tubular tiles and curved corners decorated with dragon heads.
The two upper floors of the Rear Pavilion are decorated with numerous bas-reliefs on the walls depicting musical instruments, bronze incense burners, dragons, phoenixes, and four types of trees representing the four seasons of the year.
The most distinctive feature of French architecture in this building is the thickness of its walls. These thick walls keep the rooms cool in summer and warm in winter.
It is this fusion of Eastern and Western architecture that gives the Hau Lau building its unique character. Therefore, the presence of this building has greatly contributed to our proposal to UNESCO to recognize the central area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel as a World Heritage site, highlighting the global value of the central area of the Imperial Citadel.
The Hậu Lâu building is also where archaeologists conducted excavations and discovered many valuable artifacts. The artifacts found here have become extremely valuable archaeological materials for studying the Imperial Citadel.
Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/toa-lau-nhieu-ten-trong-hoang-thanh-10237311.htm
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