Thousand-year-old Cham Tower with 'unique' mysterious appearance in Quang Nam

Bang An Tower, over a thousand years old, in Quang Nam, is a Cham tower with a unique octagonal architecture that still exists today.

Bang An Tower is located in Dien An Ward (Dien Ban Town, Quang Nam ), 21.5 m high, octagonal, each side is 4 m with unique architecture. From afar, the tower has the image of linga (male genitalia), associated with the religious beliefs of the Cham people.

According to researchers, the tower was built around the 11th century as a place of worship and sacrifice for the Cham people. Inside the tower is a shrine to Shiva, the god of creation and protection for the dynasties of the Cham kingdom.

Bang An Tower is one of the largest remaining brick structures of the Champa culture. Despite thousands of years of history and some damaged details, the unique architecture of the ancient tower is still quite intact.

In particular, this is the only octagonal tower remaining to this day in Vietnam, recognized as a national historical and cultural relic since 1989.

The tower is located in Bang An village, more than 1 km from National Highway 1, about 15 km from Hoi An city and about 30 km from Da Nang city.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

Inside the Shiva tower (represented by the linga)

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

The tower structure consists of two parts: the lobby and the shrine. The lobby is quite long, the main door faces east, there are side doors on both sides, the base is 3 m high, the body consists of vertical walls. The roof is a pyramid with 4 curved sides, gradually narrowing towards the top.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

On both sides of the tower are two side doors that were restored into two windows by French archaeologists in 1943.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

In front of the main gate of the tower are two sandstone Gajasimha statues (lion and elephant statues) wearing bells, the two guardian gods protecting the tower.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

Along with My Son Sanctuary and other Cham towers, Bang An Tower is a unique religious, cultural and artistic architectural work left by the Cham people.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

In the tower grounds there is still a stone stele engraved with ancient characters.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

The shrine is nearly 21 m high, consisting of 3 distinct parts (base, body, roof). The pyramidal roof is similar to the roof of the lobby but larger.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

Bang An Tower is considered one of the largest remaining brick sculptures of Champa culture. Although the architecture is quite simple, the decorative motifs are not elaborate, but this is considered one of the most beautiful and strange Cham towers in Vietnam.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

After more than a thousand years of history, part of the bricks of Bang An tower have been eroded.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

Along with My Son Sanctuary and other Cham towers, Bang An Tower is a beautiful and valuable religious, cultural and artistic architectural work left by the Cham people.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

Sandstone lion statue, one of two guardian gods protecting the ancient Cham tower of Bang An

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thap-cham-nghin-nam-tuoi-voi-dang-ve-huyen-bi-doc-nhat-vo-nhi-o-quang-nam-185250427104601286.htm