The land of Hiep Hoa, Bac Giang has long been known as the largest stone museum in the country. Of the 46 ancient stone mausoleums of Bac Giang province still preserved to this day, Hiep Hoa district has 26 tombs. Following are Viet Yen with 11 mausoleums and Tan Yen with 5 mausoleums while 4 mausoleums are scattered in other districts.
Stone sculptures over time still retain a certain sophistication – Photo: Collectibles
The system of Hiep Hoa ancient tombs was soon recognized as a National Cultural Relic, typically Dinh Huong Tomb.
Dinh Duong mausoleum, in Dinh Huong village, Duc Thang commune is a monumental and unique architectural complex of stone sculptures of the Later Le period, recognized as a national historical and cultural relic since 1965.
The architecture has been covered with old colors, but the solemn solemnity has not been lost – Photo: Collectibles
Dinh Huong Mausoleum was built in 1727, located on a mound of about 1 ha wide, isolated in the middle of an empty field. A small path leads directly to the back of the tomb, visitors follow the wall, round to the front to enter the only gate. The entire mausoleum is still quite intact with unique architecture and stone sculptures. The mausoleum of Dinh Huong is the resting place of the naval officer of Duke La Quy Hau. His real name is La Doan Truc (born in 1688 and died in 1749). He was a man with meritorious services to the three Later Le dynasties, twice being sent to the North as ambassadors. After his death, he was given the title of Phuc Than.
The complex of Dinh Huong mausoleum is divided into three main parts: the grave is in the middle, the worshiping part is on the left, and the stele is on the right. The mausoleum has a system of statues of people and animals carved in green stone, large in size, fat, firm, elaborately carved. In the mausoleum, there are two stone statues of two martial generals leading horses, facing each other. This pair of statues is considered a masterpiece of the ancient Vietnamese stone carving art. The statue of a martial officer wearing a sword leading a horse on the left side has a long beard and a small face; The martial officer wears a sword and leads the horse on the right side, with a large face and wide jaw. The entire shape of the statue is elaborately carved to exude a religious and extraordinary appearance.
Statues of two martial arts officials leading horses – Photo: Collectibles
See more: Cheap hotels in Bac Giang
Stone elephant statue – Photo: Collectibles
In front of the grave there is a large brick courtyard. On the yard, outside there are a couple of stone elephants in a prostrating posture, looking gentle and tame. A little inside, right on either side of the altar are two rock clams in a sitting position, facing up to the sky. The whole body of the rock clam is a layer of feathers shaped like dragon scales, and the head is covered with a beautiful carved long mane. In the innermost part, on both sides of the grave, there are two statues of female officials standing to bring the body and face to life like a real life prototype.
Occupying a rather large position in the complex of Dinh Huong mausoleum is the beer section. After nearly 300 years, the words carved on the stele are still clear. Coming to Dinh Huong mausoleum, visitors will not be surprised, admiring the unique beauty of this relic complex, over time, the stone statues in these tombs are still quite intact and wonderful. as beautiful as before, as proof of a golden age of Vietnamese stone carving techniques.
Artistic statue, healthy and mighty – Photo: Collectibles
The worshiping area consists of two elephants lying in adoration, the altar has two large clams with their mouths open in adoration, followed by a throne made of two large stone blocks with two mandarins and two delicately carved small calves. The maidservant on the left holds the rectangular box across the abdomen, the left hand supports the bottom of the casket, the right hand holds the top of the box, exposing half of the hand with long slender fingers. The maidservant on the right side of the throne holds a fan, wears a hat with a pointed tip like a small hat, and the back half of the hat has four layers of fabric covering the hairline, covering the ears and nape of the neck.
vietnam-destinations.com | Discovering the Vietnam
Source: Collected internet.
