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Banh It Tower is an ancient Cham architectural complex in Binh Dinh, over a thousand years old, and a must-visit site when exploring the central region of Vietnam.
The Banh It Tower Complex
In 2015, Banh It Tower became the only location in Vietnam featured in the book '1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die'. The book was published by the renowned Quintessence publishing house in the UK. In 1909, the French scholar Henri Parmentier praised the tower for its significance in the art of the Champa Kingdom.
The tower complex consists of four towers built on a hill in Dai Loc village, Phuoc Hiep commune, Tuy Phuoc district. The tallest tower, standing at about 29.6 meters, is located at the hilltop and resembles a Banh It cake from a distance. The four towers include the Gate Tower, the Stele Tower, the Fire Tower, and the Main Tower. Each tower features its own distinct architectural style.
Although built in the late 11th century and early 12th century, the four towers still stand tall today. This site is the most complete remaining example of Champa temple architecture. The towers are also known by other names such as Silver Tower, Thi Thien Tower, and Tho Son Ancient Tower.
In Vietnam, there are many ancient Buddhist temples with the same age as Banh It Tower. However, few of these temples have preserved their original architecture. This tower complex was recognized as an architectural art monument in 1982. The Vietnam Records Organization also listed this tower among the top 10 most visited tower complexes by tourists.
The four towers of the Banh It Tower Complex
The Gate Tower is the lowest structure in the Banh It Tower complex. The tower features simple yet sturdy design. Its doorway follows the Gopura architectural style, with a layered arch that points upwards. The tower has two entrances aligned with the Main Tower along an East-West axis to ensure architectural harmony.
The Main Tower stands about 30 meters tall, making it the largest and central structure of the complex. The tower is intricately carved with detailed and beautiful decorations. Some of the carvings on the base of the tower depict images of dancers. Over time, though some reliefs have been damaged, the graceful designs remain evident.
The Stele Tower stands about 7-8 meters tall and is built in a square shape with rounded corners. It preserves many exquisite sculptures of deities. The square-shaped tower is adorned with gourd-shaped vases on the upper level, with flowing curved forms. The Fire Tower stands 10 meters tall and has a rectangular shape. In the past, the Cham people used this tower to store goods.
The Banh It Tower Complex is uniquely diverse in shape and features many high artistic values. Therefore, when visiting this region, do not miss the fascinating journey to explore the ancient towers.
According to Mytour.vn
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour.vn
Mytour.vnAugust 28, 2024
