Dome

Raking view of the base wall with arched entrances; The palace complex, formally called the Purple Forbidden City (Zijin cheng), lies to the north of the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tianan men) and the Square of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen Square) at the centre of the city, on the central north-south axis. It was built 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor (Zhu Di or Ming Chengzu). The Duanmen (Southern Main Entrance) lies behind (north of) Tiananmen and is the first southern gate into the palace precinct; it was the main palace gate in the Qing period. The area from Duanmen north to the Meridian Gate is 30680 square meters and was filled with offices of minor officials. Since the Republic, the gatehouse was used to store antiquities; the structure was restored in 1999 and now has a exhibit area. There is also a daily changing of the guard and flag raising ceremony. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 6/21/2013)