Trịnh Palace - National Historical Monument

21/12/2024 33 0

Trịnh Palace Historical Site

Located in Đông Thẳng Village, Vĩnh Hùng Commune, Vĩnh Lộc District, Thanh Hóa Province, Trịnh Palace is one of the most significant historical monuments, serving as a testament to the glorious era of the Trịnh Lords in Vietnamese history. Recognized as a National Historical Monument by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 1995, Trịnh Palace is not only an outstanding architectural structure but also a symbol of the power and culture during the Lê - Trịnh period.

After defeating the Mạc Dynasty and liberating Thăng Long in 1592, the Trịnh Lords rebuilt the Lê King's palace and established the Trịnh Palace to jointly govern state affairs. In addition, the Trịnh Lords also constructed a smaller royal residence in their hometown, Biện Thượng Village. This site served as both a place for ancestor worship and as the Trịnh's headquarters in Thanh Hóa during their campaign to support the Lê Dynasty to defeat the Mạc.

Originally, the Trịnh Palace was built on an expansive area of dozens of hectares, featuring many imposing buildings. After numerous historical upheavals, however, only a seven-room ancient tiled house remains today, serving as the shrine for the Trịnh Lords. Situated modestly within a bustling residential area, it is now known as Phủ Từ and has been recognized as a National Historical Monument.

Recognizing the necessity of preserving, restoring, and revitalizing the Trịnh Palace Historical Site, which contributes to honoring the achievements of the Trịnh Lords over their 249 years of rule, Thanh Hóa Province approved a project in 2015 for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the Phủ Từ area. The entire Cultural and Historical Site encompasses 29 construction components, all of which are built in adherence to traditional principles, historical values, and the architectural style of royal palaces. The Trịnh Palace Historical Site is closely associated with the festival honoring Minh Khang Thái Vương Trịnh Kiểm, the founder of the Trịnh Dynasty and the architect of a unique political system: a dual governance structure where both the king and the lord jointly ruled the country, with the king reigning and the lord exercising executive power. Every year, on the anniversary of Trịnh Kiểm’s death (the 18th day of the second lunar month), descendants of the Trịnh family, along with local people and visitors from all over, gather to offer incense and pay their respects.

Over the course of 249 years, alongside their contributions to the preservation and development of the nation in collaboration with the Lê Dynasty, the Trịnh Lords left an invaluable legacy in their homeland of Thanh Hóa—the Trịnh Palace Complex. In the near future, once the restoration of the Trịnh Palace Cultural and Historical Site is completed, it will become a must-visit destination for travelers from all directions, a source of pride for the people of Thanh Hóa. When connected with other historical sites in the Vĩnh Lộc area, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Hồ Dynasty Citadel, the Kim Sơn Scenic Area, and the Hồ Công Cave, it will create an ideal tour, attracting a large number of visitors to this land of “royal palaces and lordly estates”.

Some images of the Trinh Palace:

The structure is a refined blend of imperial architecture and Vietnamese folk culture

The Interior of the Trịnh Palace

 

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