Hoa Lu ancient capital is a unique architectural complex in Ninh Binh province, recognized by UNESCO as one of the four core areas of the Trang An World Heritage complex. This place is also ranked by the government as a particularly important architectural complex and national historical relic that needs to be preserved.

With a history of more than 1,000 years, this place has gone through many ups and downs of the nation, is a place to preserve historical relics through many eras as well as become a historical testament for our country for thousands of years. However, even though it has gone through many ups and downs of time, Hoa Lu still retains its historical traces. Those are sturdy city walls, two majestic temples worshiping King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, built to simulate the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.

Typical architectural works in Hoa Lu ancient capital

Explore the relics of King Dinh Tien Hoang’s temple in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu

Spanning over 1,000 years of history, important relics in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu are still preserved and preserved until today. The most prominent are the temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and the temple of King Le Dai Hanh.

Located in Truong Yen commune – which was the center of the Eastern citadel of the ancient capital in the past – King Dinh Tien Hoang temple is located in an extremely ideal position: in front is Ma Yen mountain, where the majestic King Dinh’s tomb lies to watch. Look at the beauty of the river. The temple was built during the Ly Dynasty in the style of ‘internal work, foreign work’, simulating the shape of the ancient capital’s architecture, then rebuilt under the Later Le Dynasty.

As one of our country’s unique architectural works built in the 17th century, King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple is a complex that includes majestic works such as the Ngo Mon Gate, fake mountain, lotus pond, flower garden, The outer ritual gate, the inner ritual gate and three worship halls, Thien Huong and the harem. In the back, the Hau placed a statue of King Dinh and his sons. Today, at the king’s temple, there are still precious antiques such as a pair of flanking elephants and a pair of dragon and stone treasures placed in the Dragon Yard, carved entirely from monolithic green stone with sharp lines. exquisitely carved.

Not only that, King Dinh’s temple is also decorated with many shapes and intricately carved motifs on wooden and stone pillars with images of dragons, clouds, fairies, flowers, etc. These are the clearest evidence of all. shows the talent and ingenuity of artisans of the 17th century.

Temple of King Le

Located about 500m from King Dinh temple is King Le Dai Hanh temple with a smaller scale. The temple was built with three buildings including Bai Duong and Thien Huong to worship Pham Cu Luong – the person who helped Le Hoan ascend to the throne in the past. In the main area of the palace is the place to worship King Le Dai Hanh, on the left is Le Ngoa Trieu, son of King Le, on the right is the worship of Queen Duong Van Nga. In front of the temple is the central square of Hoa Lu ancient capital, behind the temple is the moat that protected the ancient capital running around the foot of Dia mountain.

Today, at King Le’s temple, there are still traces of ancient architecture with elaborate carvings and sculptures and even traces of the old palace foundation with ancient ceramics. These precious artifacts are still stored in the museum room on the left side of the temple.