Po Rome Tower – The Smallest Remaining Monument of Chăm People

Listen to the enchanting tales and myths of the prosperous Po Rome dynasty, a pride of the Chăm people, at Po Rome Tower, Ninh Thuận.

Po Rome Tower – The Smallest Remaining Monument of Chăm People

Po Rome Tower, also known as Hậu Sanh Tower, is situated in Hậu Sanh village, Phước Hữu commune, Ninh Phước district, Ninh Thuận province. The tower stands on one of two small adjacent hills, and it is still regularly used by the Chăm people for ceremonial rituals on their festive and holiday occasions.

Po Rome Tower was constructed around the late 16th century, serving as a symbol of a glorious golden era and commemorating the life and reign of the last independent ruler of Champa – King Po Rome. In 1992, the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized Po Rome Tower as a National Historical Site.

The overall architecture of Po Rome Tower is similar to the architectural style of Po Klong Garai Tower, built in the Late style – a typical architectural style of Chăm Pa since the 13th century. This structure features minimal decorative elements, carvings, and reliefs compared to other Cham tower complexes. The structure includes the main tower, auxiliary tower, and a shrine.

The central tower stands as a majestic three-tiered square tower, approximately 8m tall with a base width of nearly 8m. At its peak sits a large, four-sided curved stone adorned with intricate carvings. Facing east, the main facade features a gate in the form of a front courtyard, while inside the tower's body lies a statue of King Po Rome, standing about 1.2m tall.

In addition to the king's statue, there's also a smaller statue believed to represent Queen Po Bia Sancan, an Êđê woman, standing approximately 0.75m tall. The interior of the tower, narrow and elongated in an east-west direction, reveals a small hallway in the front courtyard, with a wooden ceiling.

The secondary tower is dedicated to the worship of Queen Pra Suchil, with King Po Rome's tomb also located within. Overall, the Po Rome tower stands as a grandiose brick structure, a symbol of Cham architecture. Visitors here can listen to guides or local residents recount the fascinating stories and legends of the prosperous Po Rome dynasty, a source of pride for the Cham people in Ninh Thuan.

Source: Mytour

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide