Decorative pattern of a dragon and cloud found at the site (Photo: giaoduc.net) Thai Binh (VNS/VNA) - A recent international workshop held in thenorthern province of Thai Binh once again confirmed the value ofLo Giang Palace built during the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400).
Experts from domestic institutes and seven foreign scientists from Japan, theRepublic of Korea and China gathered on November 30 to review recentexcavations and propose preservation plans for the site.
Lo Giang Palace is a system of royal buildings outside Thang Long Citadel thatwere used to provide accommodation for the king.
Many palaces were built under the Tran reign but not many still exist.
According to researchers, rare materials had been found at Lo Giang Palacethat were unlike finds at other Tran palaces including Thien Truong (Nam Dinhprovince) and Vu Lam (Ninh Binh province).
Scientists from the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies conducted excavationsin 2014, 2015 and 2017 at Hong Minh commune in Hung Ha district anddiscovered various building materials and daily utensils, and the foundationsof stone pillars at Thai Temple.
This is an important discovery as this is the first time we have found woodenarchitecture from the Tran Dynasty built on rectangular pillar foundations,”said Prof Bui Minh Tri, rector of the institute. “The remains of thepillars here are very big. It means the pillars must have been huge tohold up a very large building with many floors.”
Tri said the same form of pillars had been found at Thang LongCitadel which were built under the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225), but theywere much smaller.
Tri said the palace at today’s Tran Temple (Thai Lang) might have usedby kings Tran Nhan Tong (1278-1293) and Tran Anh Tong (1293-1314), and wasalso home to Kien Xuong Palace built under King Tran Hien Tong’s reign (1329-1341),according to records.
Experts confirmed that Lo Giang Palace covered a total area of 554sq.m.
They found various decoration details with dragon figures; pieces of tilesfeaturing the face of a lion and carving of a Chinese character withthe word “King”.
The building must have been an important place, Tri said.
“Lo Giang Palace seems to have been a big and important palace duringthe Tran Dynasty in the ancient Long Hung Region,” Tri said. “It showsthat the area was not only the place where Tran kings started their reignsbecause it was also used for important national events.”
Nguyen Thi Linh, Vice Chairperson of the provincial People’s Committee, saidthe authorities had assigned Hung Ha district to coordinate with theinstitute to construct a roof to protect Thai Temple and otherremnants unearthed at Lang Sa.
Authorities will compile a dossier to ask the culture ministry for a nationallevel historic relic title for the site and call for investment topreserve the palace.
Lo Giang Palace and Kien Xuong Palace are both mentioned in Dai VietSu Ky Toan Thu (The Complete Annals of Dai Viet): “In 1293, theking’s mother passed away in Lo Giang Palace, Long Hung, her body was kept temporarilyin Long Hung Palace; …in 1341, King Tran Hien Tong passed away, his body waskept temporarily at Kien Xuong Palace."
Linh said thanks to the discoveries, the province planned to develop thevalue of the palace and connect overall culture heritagein neighbouring areas for the purpose of socio-economic development of HungHa district and Thai Binh province./.
Experts from domestic institutes and seven foreign scientists from Japan, theRepublic of Korea and China gathered on November 30 to review recentexcavations and propose preservation plans for the site.
Lo Giang Palace is a system of royal buildings outside Thang Long Citadel thatwere used to provide accommodation for the king.
Many palaces were built under the Tran reign but not many still exist.
According to researchers, rare materials had been found at Lo Giang Palacethat were unlike finds at other Tran palaces including Thien Truong (Nam Dinhprovince) and Vu Lam (Ninh Binh province).
Scientists from the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies conducted excavationsin 2014, 2015 and 2017 at Hong Minh commune in Hung Ha district anddiscovered various building materials and daily utensils, and the foundationsof stone pillars at Thai Temple.
This is an important discovery as this is the first time we have found woodenarchitecture from the Tran Dynasty built on rectangular pillar foundations,”said Prof Bui Minh Tri, rector of the institute. “The remains of thepillars here are very big. It means the pillars must have been huge tohold up a very large building with many floors.”
Tri said the same form of pillars had been found at Thang LongCitadel which were built under the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225), but theywere much smaller.
Tri said the palace at today’s Tran Temple (Thai Lang) might have usedby kings Tran Nhan Tong (1278-1293) and Tran Anh Tong (1293-1314), and wasalso home to Kien Xuong Palace built under King Tran Hien Tong’s reign (1329-1341),according to records.
Experts confirmed that Lo Giang Palace covered a total area of 554sq.m.
They found various decoration details with dragon figures; pieces of tilesfeaturing the face of a lion and carving of a Chinese character withthe word “King”.
The building must have been an important place, Tri said.
“Lo Giang Palace seems to have been a big and important palace duringthe Tran Dynasty in the ancient Long Hung Region,” Tri said. “It showsthat the area was not only the place where Tran kings started their reignsbecause it was also used for important national events.”
Nguyen Thi Linh, Vice Chairperson of the provincial People’s Committee, saidthe authorities had assigned Hung Ha district to coordinate with theinstitute to construct a roof to protect Thai Temple and otherremnants unearthed at Lang Sa.
Authorities will compile a dossier to ask the culture ministry for a nationallevel historic relic title for the site and call for investment topreserve the palace.
Lo Giang Palace and Kien Xuong Palace are both mentioned in Dai VietSu Ky Toan Thu (The Complete Annals of Dai Viet): “In 1293, theking’s mother passed away in Lo Giang Palace, Long Hung, her body was kept temporarilyin Long Hung Palace; …in 1341, King Tran Hien Tong passed away, his body waskept temporarily at Kien Xuong Palace."
Linh said thanks to the discoveries, the province planned to develop thevalue of the palace and connect overall culture heritagein neighbouring areas for the purpose of socio-economic development of HungHa district and Thai Binh province./.
VNA
