Natural masterpieces: The mystery of Ta Kon citadel

According to documents provided by the People's Committee of Vinh Thanh District (Binh Dinh), Ta Kon in Ba Na language means large rocks stacked into a rampart, a magnificent work of nature bestowed upon Kon Blo village, formerly belonging to Lo Pin commune, now belonging to Vinh Son commune (Vinh Thanh district).

Những tuyệt tác thiên nhiên: Kỳ bí thành Tà Kơn- Ảnh 1. — Ta Kon Citadel, Vinh Son Commune (Vinh Thanh District, Binh Dinh)

Here, there are natural rectangular and hexagonal stone pillars stacked on top of each other to form a wall about 500 - 600 m long and 30 - 40 m high. Standing far away, it looks like it was built by human hands, but when you get closer, it is a natural wall formed by geological formations.

ASSOCIATED WITH MANY LEGENDS

Coming to Ta Kon citadel, visitors will admire the stone wall and immerse themselves in the wild and majestic natural scenery of the primeval mountains and forests with diverse vegetation. Historically, Ta Kon citadel was the upper base of the Tay Son insurgents. From 1945 to 1962, it was a revolutionary base in two resistance wars.

Ta Kon Citadel consists of cylindrical rocks formed through tectonic changes dating back 1.8 - 2 million years, and is also home to the indigenous Ba Na Kriem people. This amazing natural work has not only become a unique scenic spot in the mountains and forests, but has also entered the epic of the Ba Na Kriem people.

Những tuyệt tác thiên nhiên: Kỳ bí thành Tà Kơn- Ảnh 2. — Ba Na girl taking photo next to Ta Kon citadel

According to legend, Ta Kon was once home to three brothers: two kings, Trum and Tram, and a beautiful, intelligent princess named Bia Toni. A king from another land, Bok Toponka, intended to propose to Bia Toni, but because he was very cruel, she refused. Unable to marry the beautiful princess, Bok Toponka led his army to attack Ta Kon. Humiliated by his defeat, Bok Toponka madly attacked King Trum and was destroyed by Trum.

Another legend tells the story of Ta Kon citadel associated with the beautiful Ho Bia. The mountain god wanted to marry Ho Bia, but the god had a face made of stone and a cow's bib under his chin, which looked very ugly, so Ho Bia was not satisfied and asked that if he could pass her three talent tests, he would accept her proposal. The mountain god passed all the talent tests, so the two became husband and wife and together built Ta Kon citadel.

Besides the legend of the Ba Na Kriem people, there is an opinion that Ta Kon citadel was built by the Tay Son brothers. When the three Tay Son brothers recruited soldiers and horses, the Ba Na people responded very strongly and together they built Ta Kon citadel as a secret base...

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST

A document states that Ta Kon citadel is a mountain range formed by volcanic eruptions during the Quaternary period millions of years ago. The uplift of the earth's surface created geometrically shaped stone columns arranged next to each other to form a wall.

According to a village elder in Vinh Son, because the stone wall runs in a long strip along the mountainside in the middle of the majestic forest, the ancients called it a citadel and breathed life into these majestic rocks. A humanistic vitality, a megalithic culture to promote the indomitable spirit of fighting against invaders.

With its special significance and value, Ta Kon citadel was ranked as a relic by the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province on December 25, 2013.

Những tuyệt tác thiên nhiên: Kỳ bí thành Tà Kơn- Ảnh 3. — Ta Kon citadel is both mysterious and majestic.

Mr. Dinh Y Nam (75 years old), Vice President of the Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities in Binh Dinh Province, said that the stone wall, also known as Ta Kon citadel, was formed by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Later, people symbolized it with legendary stories to increase the sacredness of nature.

To get to Ta Kon, you have to go from Quy Nhon City (Binh Dinh), travel more than 140 km to Vinh Son Commune, then climb up successive slopes under the canopy of the primeval forest on the Kon River headwaters. The forest in the mountainous area of Ta Kon is an old forest, with large trees over 1 m in diameter. In addition to the large trees occupying the upper floors, there are also many other diverse plant species. The place where the stone wall is formed is about 800 m above sea level. This place is quite high, with steep slopes on both sides, and the wall is made up of giant stone slabs stacked vertically.

Những tuyệt tác thiên nhiên: Kỳ bí thành Tà Kơn- Ảnh 4. — Ta Kon Citadel becomes a tourist destination attracting visitors to visit and explore.

Through the rather dangerous slope, step down a large flat rock, in front of the eyes is a stone wall about 20 m high. The beauty and grandeur of the wall comes from the stone pillars arranged along the mountainside, about 2 m in circumference, the pillars are more than 1 m in diameter. The height of the stone pillars is not the same, some are only 3 - 4 m high, some are 15 - 20 m high. What surprises many people is the shape of the stone pillars, joined together as if built by human hands.

According to the leader of Vinh Thanh District People's Committee, the road to Ta Kon citadel has now been concreted, making it very convenient for tourists to visit. This is an advantage for Vinh Thanh District to develop eco-tourism. In addition to the highlight of Ta Kon citadel in K8 village, Vinh Thanh also has Nguyen Hue orange garden in K2 village, Vinh Son commune; Hang Doi cave, Ta Ma stream, Vinh Son hydroelectric project, Dinh Binh reservoir... each place has its own beauty.

"In addition, Vinh Thanh also has festivals, Ho Mon songs, traditional musical instruments, traditional brocade weaving villages, cherry blossom gardens and temperate vegetable gardens. These are unique spiritual "dishes" of the mountains and forests...", this leader proudly shared more. (to be continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-tuyet-tac-thien-nhien-ky-bi-thanh-ta-kon-185250514224334241.htm