Ms. Andrea Teufel guides students to color the heritage at Phung Tien Palace

Restoration of Phung Tien Palace

Recently, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center in collaboration with the non-profit Cultural Heritage Conservation Association eVFuda (GEKE) - Federal Republic of Germany organized the exhibition "Discovering the Phung Tien Temple Complex", an activity within the framework of the project "Preservation, restoration andeducation at Phung Tien Temple, Hue Imperial City, phase 2021 - 2026". Through the virtual reconstruction of the entire original architecture of Phung Tien Temple, the exhibition helps visitors have the opportunity to learn about the architecture, spiritual life of the Nguyen Dynasty as well as the cultural, historical and artistic values ​​of this period.

Phung Tien Temple is one of the five important temples of the Nguyen Dynasty. In 1947, this structure was destroyed, leaving only the gates, the surrounding wall system and the screen behind the temple. Since 2017, the Phung Tien Temple complex has been restored through a German-Vietnamese cooperation project, to preserve the remaining structures and revive the original shape and function of the complex. The project restores the structures at the entrance, the surrounding wall system of the temple as well as the five entrance gates and the screen behind, archaeologically preserves the ruins and foundations of the destroyed buildings, and reconstructs the former layout of the structure and buildings based on architectural fragments and archival records.

Within the framework of the project, the exhibition “ Discovering the Phung Tien Temple Complex” is the passion of Ms. Andrea Teufel, a conservation expert of GEKE and her colleagues. According to Ms. Andrea Teufel, the virtual restoration of Phung Tien Temple is the most optimal solution for the current situation of the temple. Because, to restore the entire temple will take a lot of time and money, while the Imperial City still has many works that need to be focused on investment and restoration. Introducing the architecture, decorative details, and stories associated with this place through virtual restoration so that visitors can learn more about Phung Tien Temple is another way to restore this relic.

Ms. Andrea Teufel said: “Tourists when visiting the Imperial City only pass by or stop by Phung Tien Palace very quickly. If we can bring visitors a historical story related to this relic, it will be more impressive than simply seeing the royal architecture. Moreover, I hope that Hue people can understand more about the architecture and beauty of Hue Citadel, the history and culture of the royal palace to know how to preserve the heritage of their ancestors.”

After participating in the restoration of the main gate system, screens and rockery in the Phung Tien temple area, Ms. Andrea Teufel continues to implement the project in the 2021 - 2026 period. In the project component, in addition to preserving and restoring the rear screen, the remaining gates and the surrounding wall of Phung Tien temple, Ms. Andrea Teufel and her colleagues also combine theoretical and practical training for local craftsmen on techniques and methods of preserving and restoring cultural heritage works; heritage education training, raising awareness of heritage conservation through practical courses for students.

Preserving and promoting the beauty of heritage

Every time I have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Andrea Teufel, I see her diligently working at the Phung Tien Temple relic. In simple clothes, she is busy researching decorative motifs, mortar, and original materials of the temple. In the summer, she spends time sharing about the architectural value of Phung Tien Temple in heritage education classes for students.

With the program “Heritage Protection”, Ms. Andrea Teufel introduced to students of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Sciences, Hue University the process of preserving and restoring the heritage works of Phung Tien Palace, focusing on introducing the technology of decorating the works with colored lime mortar and frescoed surfaces. Students also listened to her introduce how to make materials, how to paint on walls, and instruct them on how to make their own sample panels with different types of lime mortar. Through that, students learned about the techniques of preserving and restoring historical works.

Every time she shares and guides students, Ms. Andrea Teufel devotes all her heart to cultivating the love for heritage in the young generation of Hue, because according to her, this will be the future generation to preserve and promote the heritage value of her homeland. With a bright face, lively and witty way of speaking, she inspires the passion in the young people, and the atmosphere of the experience sessions is always exciting and lively.

To date, Ms. Andrea Teufel has lived in Hue for nearly 20 years and has been involved in the restoration of monuments. She shared: “I love the architecture, colors, and unique materials in this place that I have never seen before. It always urges me to continue to explore and discover more deeply, especially the materials and construction techniques of the ancients to better restore and restore the original elements of the monument.” With such enthusiasm, Ms. Andrea Teufel did not use replacement materials but researched the original materials to preserve the beauty of the monument’s architecture. Therefore, the works at Phung Tien Palace were restored using traditional methods under the Nguyen Dynasty.

Article and photos: Minh Hien