Restoring columns, beams... of 800-year-old ancient pagoda according to original architecture before the fire

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has just sent an official dispatch to the People's Committee of Phu Tho province, giving opinions on the project to restore and embellish the relic of Xuan Lung Pagoda (Pho Quang Pagoda), an ancient pagoda more than 800 years old, which was severely damaged after a fire in late 2024.

Pho Quang Pagoda, over 800 years old, burned down in Phu Tho

The important content is to restore Tam Bao according to the original architecture before the fire, in order to preserve the unique historical and cultural values of this national relic.

According to Official Dispatch No. 2332/BVHTTDL-DSVH signed by Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism agreed with the proposal to restore the main items of the pagoda, including the Tam Bao, Tam Quan, Mau house, ceremony house, lecture hall, monk house, votive burning house, kitchen, garden and technical infrastructure system. In particular, the Tam Bao, the spiritual center and the architecture of the pagoda will be redesigned according to the truss model (including columns, rafters, surplus ends...) of the original structure before the fire.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also proposed limiting the expansion of lecture halls, not making arched doors on main axes and avoiding the use of fluorescent lights for lighting inside buildings. The ceremony house should be adjusted to the direction of the gable wall, not building a roof.

National treasure Stone Buddhist altar after the fire

In particular, for the National Treasure Stone Buddha Altar, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requires that it be moved only when absolutely necessary for restoration work, and that there must be a strict protection plan during the entire moving process. At the same time, valuable artifacts such as clay and wooden statues remaining at the Tam Bao need to be specifically evaluated for maximum conservation or on-site preservation.

Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee needs to supplement documents on the construction history of the project, current photos, documents on the Tam Bao architecture before the fire, and opinions from the local community on the restoration plan and worship arrangement.

Xuan Lung Pagoda, located in Xuan Lung Commune, Lam Thao District, Phu Tho Province, was ranked as a National Historical and Cultural Relic in 1980. After the fire on October 23, 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested the locality to quickly assess the damage, clarify the cause and strengthen the protection of other relics in the area.

MAI AN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/phuc-dung-cot-keo-chua-co-800-tuoi-theo-kien-truc-nguyen-goc-truoc-vu-chay-post796990.html