wèngchéng

  1. Home
  2. top of the aat hierarchies
  3. Objects Facet
  4. Components (hierarchy name)
  5. components (objects parts)
  6. [components by specific context]
  7. architectural elements
  8. [architectural elements by building type]
  9. fortification elements
  10. [defensive walls and defensive wall components]
  11. defensive walls
  12. enceintes
  13. wèngchéng
Scope note
In traditional Chinese fortifications, wengcheng refers to the enceinte built outside of gates in city walls. As explained in the Northern Song dynasty text the Wujing zongyao (1045), Chapter 12, City Wall Defenses (Shoucheng 守城), the shape can be square or round. The walls of the wengcheng are at the same height as, or slightly lower than, the main city walls. The battlements on wengcheng are connected to those on the main walls. There is often one gate in the wall of the wengcheng, but it does not align with the gate of the main city wall it is built to protect. The wengcheng in front of the more official gates, such as the main gate of a capital city wall, generally had separate gateways in their centers and sides. These would protect the gate of city wall from invaders, and allow inhabitants to defend from two directions: the top of the wengcheng (above the wengcheng gate) and the top of the city wall.
wèngchéng
Accepted term: 29-Apr-2024