What if walls could whisper? Here at the Xuanwu Gate, the northern gate of the Forbidden City, they speak volumes. Now known as the Gate of Divine Prowess, or Shenwu Gate, this imposing structure has witnessed centuries of history unfold. Built in 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, this gate wasn’t always called Shenwu. It was originally known as the Xuanwu, or “Black Tortoise,” Gate. This name held until the Kangxi Emperor, whose birth name was Xuanye, ascended to the throne. The character “Xuan” became taboo, a mark of respect, and the name was changed. Imagine the hopeful concubines who once passed through these arches, their futures uncertain. Picture the palace workers, their days filled with the routines of court life, entering and exiting through this very gate. While the grand Meridian Gate served as the main entrance, the Xuanwu Gate served a different purpose. It was the back gate, a more discreet passage for those who kept the palace running. Interestingly, despite its similar name, this gate had no connection to the Xuanwu Gate Incident of the Tang Dynasty. That dramatic coup took place in Chang’an, far from Beijing’s Forbidden City. The Xuanwu Gate stood as a silent observer, watching the ebb and flow of life within the palace walls. It has seen empires rise and fall, and witnessed the transformation of the Forbidden City into the Palace Museum we know today. As you stand before the Xuanwu Gate, now the Gate of Divine Prowess, take a moment to listen to the whispers of the walls. They tell a story of emperors and concubines, of workers and rituals, a story woven into the very fabric of this ancient city.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to