Investing more than 73 billion VND to restore the relic of King Gia Long's mother's shrine

By: Le Chung | September 27, 2024

(To Quoc) - The project to restore the Dien Thoai Thanh relic aims to restore and renovate one of the important mausoleums and worship structures in the Hue Imperial Citadel complex.

The Sacred Telephone Monument, part of the Gia Long King's Mausoleum Complex (Huong Tho commune, Hue City), is the tomb and place of worship of the mother of King Gia Long - Empress Hieu Khang Nguyen Thi Hoan (1736-1811). She was the first Empress Dowager of the Nguyen Dynasty.

This monument, built in 1811, is one of the important religious structures within the Gia Long King's Mausoleum Complex.

Over its long history, due to the impact of nature and war, this historical site is in a state of disrepair and is almost completely abandoned.

The walkway outside leads to the Sacred Telephone Monument.

Signpost directing visitors to the Sacred Telephone Monument.

The main hall, where the altar of Empress Hieu Khang Nguyen Thi Hoan was located, has collapsed many years ago, leaving only the foundation. Most of the surface of the monument is covered with weeds and wild grass.

Some of the remaining architectural structures of the site are hidden among the vegetation.

In order to preserve, restore, and promote the value of the special national historical and cultural relic and world cultural heritage site, the People's Council of Thua Thien Hue province recently considered and approved the investment plan for the project to restore and adapt Dien Thoai Thanh with a total budget of over 73 billion VND.

Accordingly, the Sacred Telephone will restore the foundation of the building using traditional brickwork, Thanh stone column bases, moisture and termite prevention, install a termite control system, restore the floor with glazed Bat Trang tiles, the steps with Thanh stone paving, restore the dragon motifs on the steps, and construct walls with traditional brickwork plastered with traditional mortar and colored plaster.

In addition, the structural framework will be restored, including the five-bay, two-wing front hall, the three-bay, two-wing main hall, the wooden roof structure including purlins, rafters, cornices, battens, decorative panels, cladding, connecting beams, wooden walls, ceiling beams, floors, etc., and the doors and windows made of Group II wood. The wooden components will be carved with floral patterns, treated with protective paint to prevent termites, gilded with gold leaf, and varnished. The roof will be covered with yellow glazed yin-yang tiles, the roof edges and gables will be restored with ceramic inlay, the decorative animal figures on the ridge and gables will be restored, and copper gutters will be fabricated.

The project will also renovate the Right and Left Side Palaces, the triple-arched gate, the inner wall, the screen wall, install technical infrastructure, restore the interior, and beautify the surrounding landscape and greenery.

According to the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province, the project to restore the Dien Thoai Thanh relic aims to restore and renovate one of the important mausoleums and worship structures in the Hue Imperial Citadel complex, contributing to the full restoration of the architectural appearance of the Gia Long King's mausoleum complex and preventing the risk of the structure becoming a ruin in the future. This is an extremely necessary undertaking. The project is expected to be completed within 4 years.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/dau-tu-hon-73-ty-dong-trung-tu-di-tich-dien-tho-me-vua-gia-long-20240927160947507.htm