Admire Thanh Nam Flag Tower on National Day September 2

VHO - Nam Dinh Flagpole (commonly called Thanh Nam Flagpole) is one of the four oldest flagpoles in the country, built in the early 19th century, at the same time as Hanoi Flagpole.

Built in the early Nguyen Dynasty from the 11th year of Gia Long (1812) along with the Hue Imperial Citadel Flag Tower (1807), Hanoi Flag Tower (1812), and Bac Ninh Citadel Flag Tower (1838). The Nam Dinh Flag Tower architectural work was ranked as a National Historical and Cultural Relic since 1962.

This is an important structure of Nam Dinh Citadel, located in the south of the inner city. When completed, Nam Dinh Flagpole was 23.84m high and was the tallest structure in Nam Citadel at that time.

The Nam Dinh Flagpole Yard was built as a square ceremonial yard with railings on all four sides. In the south, there were two cannons. In the east, there was an incense burner to commemorate the heroic martyrs.

Nam Dinh Flagpole consists of 3 main parts: Base, pole body and watchtower. The base of the Flagpole consists of two square pedestals, the upper pedestal is smaller than the lower pedestal. There are railings built around the outside of both pedestals.

The lower pedestal is 16.33m long and 2.4m high on each side. The upper pedestal is 11.42m long and 3.1m high on each side. The four sides of the pedestal are built with railings and have four doors. On the second pedestal there is a door leading inside the Flagpole. On the east side of the pole there are 2 words "Nghenh huc" (meaning welcoming the morning light); on the south side there are 2 words "Huong quang" (meaning following the light).

Under the pedestal is the Temple of the Flagpole Lady - Commercial Supervisor Princess Nguyen Thi Trinh - the first female martyr, who sacrificed her life in the battle of the French invaders who captured Thanh Nam on December 11, 1873.

The body of the flagpole is 12.65m high, the lower part is built in the shape of an octagonal cylinder, the upper part is built in the shape of a circle, gradually narrowing from top to bottom. Inside the body of the flagpole there is a spiral staircase with 54 steps leading up to the watchtower, illuminated by 32 asterisk-shaped windows on the 8 sides of the flagpole body.

The people of Nam Dinh (now Ninh Binh ) are always proud of Thanh Nam Flagpole because this relic is associated with many important historical marks. During the two times the French colonialists occupied Thanh Nam in 1873 and 1883, the Flagpole was the place where the brave battles of the generals and people of Thanh Nam took place. Currently, there is still a bullet hole 4cm deep, 6cm in diameter, this is the trace of the French warship from Dao River shelling into the citadel on March 27, 1883.

In 1945, the red flag with a yellow star fluttered on the Thanh Nam Flag Tower, affirming the victory of the August Revolution in the homeland of Nam Dinh (now Ninh Binh). During the period of resistance against the US to save the country, many cadres and Party members chose the Flag Tower as both a place for secret communication and activities to discuss many important strategies and as an observation and combat station.

During two bombings by American aircraft in 1965 and 1972, the Nam Dinh Flagpole was destroyed. In 1997, commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the liberation of Nam Dinh City (1954-1997), the Flagpole was restored to its original state. Every citizen and every tourist coming here not only admires the unique architectural work but also has the opportunity to learn more about the heroic history of the nation.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/chiem-nguong-ky-dai-thanh-nam-trong-ngay-quoc-khanh-29-165559.html