King Khai Dinh (1916 - 1925) was the 12th king of the Nguyen Dynasty. Construction of his mausoleum began in 1920 and was completed in 1931. Although its area (117 x 48.5 m) is quite modest compared to the mausoleums of his predecessors, Khai Dinh's mausoleum is very unique.
Sketches by artist Phan Anh Thư
Sketch by Thai artist Sutien Lokulprakit
Sketches by architect Nguyen Khanh Vu
Overall, the mausoleum is a tall, rectangular structure. Although its location adheres to feng shui principles, with a low hill in front as the "front screen," Chau Chu mountain as the "back screen," Chop Vung and Kim So mountains as the "left dragon and right tiger," and Chau E stream as the "water gathering point," King Khai Dinh modernized Hue's imperial architecture with new materials, architectural styles, and construction techniques. To build the mausoleum, he sent people to France to buy iron, steel, cement, and ardoise tiles, and to Japan and China to buy colored glass and porcelain. The stupa (the tallest structure, a majestic symbol of the enduring institution) at the stupa pavilion (Bi Dinh) was built in the shape of a pagoda (a Buddhist stupa). The stupa house, with its columns and arched doorways, is modeled after Roman architecture in Europe. In addition, the structure also includes an electrical system and a lightning protection system.
Sketches by Pham Ngoc Huy (DAU Sketchers Club)
Sketch by architect Nguyen Van Thien Quan
Sketch by architect Quy Nguyen
The main structure is the Thien Dinh Palace. In the three central chambers, the pinnacle of ceramic and glass art is displayed through decorative reliefs (sets of four auspicious paintings, five blessings, eight treasures, tea trays, and even modern items like alarm clocks and tennis rackets...) created by renowned artisans from across the country. Among them, artisan Phan Van Tanh is the author of three of the largest Nine Dragons Hidden in Clouds murals in Vietnam.
Sketch by architect Tran Xuan Hong
Sketch by architect Phung The Huy
Sketches by artist Doan Quoc
The gilded bronze statue of King Khai Dinh, cast in France at a 1:1 scale, is topped with a canopy weighing nearly 1 ton, yet it appears very soft and graceful.
Sketch by architect Nguyen Dinh Viet
Sketches by artist Doan Quoc
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