The Forbidden Purple City is the main attraction of the ancient city of Hue. The city, located on the Fragrant River, was the centre of the Nguyen Empire for several centuries. Hue has preserved a large number of historical treasures and cultural attractions. The Purple City is considered to be such a historical treasure. Many states had Forbidden Cities. Vietnam is not an exception. Only the emperor with his family, concubines and the servants accompanying him had the right to appear and live in this city. The duties of servants were usually performed by eunuchs.
The Purple City is located inside the famous Citadel, built by order of the Vietnamese emperors to protect all the inhabitants of the forbidden city. The Citadel is now restored, its imposing interior is entered through the noon gate. For five hundred years, the Purple City was renowned for its astonishingly beautiful palaces and excessive opulence. From here, the emperor ruled the entire empire. It was the dream of every citizen of the country to see this city.
In 1968, American troops destroyed it almost to the ground. Only part of the library and a fragment of the royal theatre building survived. In the difficult post-war years, the area was taken over for farmland.
After the forbidden Purple City was included in the list of "World Historical Heritage" on the initiative of UNESCO, restoration work began here. At present, the two-storey library has been partially restored. Nearby is the foundation of the theatre. It was built in the early 19th century and housed the National Conservatory. The restoration of this architectural monument has now begun.
