Lâu Thượng Temple

Trưng Vương Commune, Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province

Cultural Heritage (No reviews yet)

Lâu Thượng Temple is constructed in the style of the Đinh character, consisting of a grand hall with 5 sections and 2 wings, and a rear section with 3 sections. It has a length of 28m and a width of 22m, facing southeast. The entire temple is supported by 60 large columns with a diameter of 0.75m, interconnected with transverse and longitudinal beams, forming a solid structure resembling a boat hull.

The unique structure of the rear section is delicately carved. Above the transverse beams, there are twin dragons flanking the moon with a tightly organized composition, harmoniously combining lines and dragon shapes into clouds, carved in the Nguyen style. Below are two dragon heads with intricate carvings. The central part of the rear section is dedicated to the altar. The main structure of the altar is framed with four roof pillars, and outside is the intricately carved and gilded forbidden door. Outside the forbidden door, on the altar, there is a statue of the Two Trung Sisters, sculpted in a seated posture. The temple also preserves a splendid palanquin with gilded and carved patterns in the style of the late Le period.

Lâu Thượng Temple currently preserves valuable artifacts such as four ceremonial pedestals and trays gilded and painted in gold, crafted since the Nguyen dynasty, placed in the main altar. In addition, many architectural elements such as “Teacher teaching”, “Double phoenix and letters,” “Two dragons meeting,” “Mother dragon instructing her children,” etc., are finely carved on various architectural components. Each carving is a unique work of art, vividly depicting the simple and liberal beauty, talent, cleverness, creativity, and aesthetic sense of our ancestors.

The Lâu Thượng Village Festival takes place annually on the 9th day of the Lunar New Year to conduct ceremonies and participate in traditional cultural and sports activities. Before the main festival, many sports and cultural exchange activities among communities in the commune took place. On the 9th day of the Lunar New Year, people organize a procession from the External Temple to the Internal Temple for the ceremony, then parade to the shrine of the External Temple and continue the worship. The festival of Lâu Thượng Village, maintained annually, holds significant importance in connecting the community and educating the patriotic traditions of the ethnic people.

Recognized and classified as a national historical and cultural relic on February 21, 1975, Lâu Thượng Temple not only possesses cultural and artistic values but also plays a role in preserving and promoting the historical and cultural values of our nation. When visiting Viet Tri City, in addition to paying respects to the Hung Kings’ Temples on Nghia Linh Mountain, exploring the ancient Hung Lo Temple to enjoy Xoan singing, and contemplating the scenery at Thien Co Temple, visitors can also visit Lâu Thượng Temple. This allows them to appreciate the ancient and solemn beauty of this valuable architectural and sculptural work, reflecting on the profound historical and cultural values left by our ancestors.