Nhan Tower - a symbol of cultural diversity in Tuy Hoa

In the Ede and Gia Rai languages, the Nhạn Tower is called the Kohmeng Tower or the Cham Pa Tower. Built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries, it served as a place of worship for the goddess Thien Ya Na. This is a typical architectural work of the ancient Cham people, reflecting a brilliantly developed civilization in Southeast Asia, and representing the fusion of two great cultures, Indian and Vietnamese, into Cham Pa architectural culture.

 

Over more than ten centuries, and then damaged by war, the Nhạn Tower was restored in 1960 and 1994. Generally, the shape, lines, and colors of the tower remain the same as before, only the materials used for the restoration have changed. The Nhạn Tower was classified as a national architectural and artistic monument by the Ministry of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ) in 1998.

 

On December 24, 2018, the Prime Minister issued Decision 1820/QD-TTg classifying the Nhan Tower as a special national monument, recognizing the Nhan Tower as a treasure left by our ancestors for the present and future.

 

The Eye of the Land

 

The Nhạn Tower, built on a mountain beside a river, boasts a unique location, considered the "divine eye of the land." In terms of feng shui, the tower's location combines the elements of vast sea and sky, picturesque mountains and rivers, fertile fields, and bustling streets. The Nhạn Tower is situated on the eastern slope of Nhạn Mountain, right in the heart of Tuy Hòa City. Nhạn Mountain, 64 meters above sea level, is a rare and valuable mountain for riverside and coastal cities in the South Central region. The tower's base is at an altitude of approximately 56 meters, with the main facade facing east, the auspicious direction. The two sides and rear are enclosed, and the tower rests against the mountainside, providing a stable foundation.

 

On fine days, standing at the Nhạn Tower and gazing eastward, one sees the Đà Diễn estuary, the East Sea shimmering like silver, with waves and sea breezes sweeping in. Looking south, the Chùa River flows like a dreamy stream, green bamboo groves and flocks of white egrets flutter right in the heart of the city; the famous Ngọc Lãng flower village is warm in winter and cool in summer. Further across the Đà Rằng River lies the southern bank urban area, with the distant Đá Bia mountain fading into the distance. Looking north, Tuy Hòa City appears as a vibrant, multicolored painting, growing day by day, with lush green rice fields and the steadfast Chóp Chài mountain resembling a giant "turtle" crawling towards the Đà Diễn estuary.

 

When arriving in or passing through Tuy Hoa City by road or rail, the Nhạn Tower will appear before your eyes. As you get closer, the shape, lines, and colors of the tower become slender and then gradually point upwards, like a flower of the mountains, like a torch shining proudly against the blue sky.

The Swallow Tower attracts many visitors. Photo: MINH NGUYET

 

Expressing the aspiration to rise above

 

From the outside, the tower's shape has three parts: the base, the body, and the roof, resembling a traditional Vietnamese house, symbolizing heaven, earth, and humanity. The base and body of the tower have square bases, representing the earth, and the total height of all three parts is approximately 24 meters.

 

The base of the tower is larger than the body, approximately 3.3 meters high. The upper rows of bricks are set back from the rows below in a regular pattern, gradually narrowing until they attach to the tower's body. The base is a large, solid block deeply embedded in the ground, supporting the tower's body and roof.

 

The tower's body is square, each side measuring 10.5m, approximately 9.3m high, with walls about 3m thick. The walls are vertical, supported by pillars at the four corners, creating protruding and recessed ridges on all four sides. The shape, lines, and decorative patterns on the exterior follow the golden ratio, making the tower appear even taller. The tower's body connects the base and the roof, representing the idea of ​​heaven, earth, and humanity as a unified whole; heaven provides protection, earth supports, and humanity is in the middle creating wealth. The carvings and moldings on the tower's body are rich, not only expressing human aspirations and ambitions but also reflecting the world of deities.

 

The tower's roof has four layers, with unusual shapes and lines, reaching a height of approximately 8.5 meters. The bottom layer, with its four large pillars at the four corners, resembles four lotus buds from a distance, and the protruding moldings on the tower's body are like roof cornices. The second and third layers each also have four lotus buds, becoming smaller and more pointed towards the top. The top layer is a large, monolithic stone with a square base, curving evenly and tapering towards the four sides, exquisitely carved – this is the symbol of the linga. The linga is the male reproductive organ, symbolizing Shiva, one of the three supreme gods of Hinduism; the linga embodies masculinity, representing human creativity. From afar, the roof resembles a wild flower, like a fire on a winter night, symbolizing divinity, enlightenment, and the awakening of humanity in spiritual life.

 

Inside the tower is a square space with sides measuring 4.5m, and the tower's base is 1.8m higher than the outside courtyard. The worship arrangement is very simple, without a built-in altar, only a shrine to the goddess YA Na facing the door, a wide arched doorway over 2m wide. The four vertical interior walls, approximately 15m high, are exquisitely constructed, revealing rows of bricks that resemble decorative walls. The roof tapers towards the top, similar to Egyptian towers; the rows of bricks above protrude regularly from the rows below, continuing to narrow until they meet at the top and close.

 

A perfect combination of construction techniques and sculptural art.

 

The entire tower, from foundation to base, body, and roof, is built of solid brick, with only the linga made of stone. Yet, the tower reaches a height of 24 meters, equivalent to a six-story building. The bricks are larger than modern bricks, measuring 10.5 cm wide, 33 cm long, and 8.1 cm thick. During construction, the length of the bricks is embedded in the wall like wedges in an ancient earthen mill, a construction method that makes the bricks very sturdy and able to withstand time and wind. The rows of bricks never overlap; the joints are so tightly spaced that they are invisible. Upon closer inspection, the joints resemble the Chinese character "gong" (工), interlocking above and below. The entire inner and outer walls, moldings, and reliefs reveal the dark red bricks.

 

The Swallow Tower is a perfect blend of construction techniques and sculptural art. Beyond its aesthetic function, the structure vividly expresses the aspiration for a better, more virtuous life, contributing to the richness and uniqueness of Vietnamese culture. Through archaeological excavations and scientific conferences, the construction process of the tower is believed to have been carried out in multiple steps, and this remains largely unexplained.

 

Since the re-establishment of the province, Phu Yen has invested significantly in the Nhan Mountain park complex by restoring the Nhan Tower; building the Nhan Mountain Martyrs Memorial; planting many rare and valuable tree species and constructing paths up and down the mountain; building a cultural center and expanding Dien Hong Park; constructing Bach Dang Road along the Chua River; relocating many houses at the foot of Nhan Mountain; and constructing and restoring ancient temples and shrines at the foot of Nhan Mountain, as well as building the Nguyen Huu Tho Lawyer Memorial House.

 

Mount Nhan and Nhan Tower are gems, poetic mountains, priceless assets that not every city possesses. They are beautiful in themselves, but their ancient beauty is what makes them so valuable and rare. Mount Nhan and Nhan Tower are a source of pride and inspiration for countless poets and writers who visit, and a symbol of the people of Tuy Hoa.

 

For many years, the Nhạn Tower has stood as a testament to history, sometimes serene under the drizzling rain, sometimes radiant in the twilight, or shimmering when night falls. Today, the Nhạn Tower welcomes many tourist groups from all over the country to visit and participate in festivals, especially the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, and the Via Ba Festival from March 21-23 (lunar calendar).  

The Swallow Tower is a perfect blend of construction techniques and sculptural art. Beyond its aesthetic function, the structure vividly expresses the aspiration for a better, more virtuous life, contributing to the richness and uniqueness of Vietnamese culture.

Architect Hoang Xuan Thuong

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/94/325710/thap-nhan-bieu-tuong-su-da-dang-van-hoa-tai-tuy-hoa.html