A labyrinth of pavilions, temples, courtyards, gardens… the forbidden city was built six hundred years ago by Yongle, the third emperor of the Ming dynasty. How was this vast, richly decorated palace built? A true architectural feat that has remained inaccessible for centuries, the Forbidden City reveals its secrets here.
The largest palace in the world…
Built between 1406 and 1420 by Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty in Beijing, the Forbidden City covers 72 hectares (ten times the size of Versailles), making it the largest palace complex in the world. For five centuries it will be both the administrative center of the Empire and the residence of the monarch.
earthquake resistance
Built of wood, the Forbidden City often bursts into flames. On the other hand, it has withstood more than 200 earthquakes thanks to an ingenious architectural technique. Massive roofs do not rest on walls, but on unburied pillars set in pedestals. These are attached to a frame fixed with nailless tenons and tenons. This assembly provides great flexibility to the structure. Experiment on a model reproduced at 1/5 scale showed that the building could withstand an earthquake measuring 10.1 on the Richter scale.
Emperor Gardener
Twenty-four emperors lived in the Forbidden City for five hundred years. Puyi, the last of whom was sacked by the Communists, will eventually become a gardener.
Forbidden City announced: Saturday, August 20 at 20:50 Arte
Hacene Chouchaoui
Source: Programme Television
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
