Unique architectural and sculptural art of Tam Mai communal house

Tam Mai Temple faces the Southwest, located on a high land in Hoang Ha village, Dien Hoang commune. After many restorations and embellishments, the temple still retains its ancient architecture. Photo: Huy Thu

Tam Mai Communal House currently has two main structures, the lower and upper communal houses, connected together, built in traditional architecture, with wooden frames, tiled roofs, and brick walls. Photo: Huy Thu

The lower communal house is a 3-room, 2-sided house with 3 entrances, built in the matchbox style, 2 floors, 8 roofs. Perhaps because of this unique architecture, the ancient communal house has long been called the Eight-Roofed Communal House by the locals. Photo: Huy Thu

The lower pavilion has the appearance of a palace-style upper floor and lower pavilion. The four tiled roofs of the upper floor are smaller and nearly 2m higher than the lower floor. Photo: Huy Thu.

On the tiled roofs, especially on the eaves of the upper floors, there are sculptures of two dragons facing the moon, and on the two ends of the roof there are two lions facing each other... looking very ancient and majestic. Photo: Huy Thu

Standing below looking up, you can see the curved tiled roofs of Tam Mai communal house with a symmetrical, balanced, and harmonious ratio. Photo: Huy Thu

Inside the lower communal house (viewed vertically) there are 4 rows of columns, of which the 2 rows of columns in the middle are 5.5m high, the two rows of columns on the sides are 3.5m high. The upper floor of the communal house does not create a usable area but it enhances the majestic position of the communal house. Photo: Huy Thu

Wooden structures in the lower temple such as beams, pillars, and pillars are all elaborately carved and sculpted. Photo: Huy Thu

In particular, the two sides of the front panels in the lower part of the temple are exquisitely carved with traditional "four sacred animals" themes with excellent carving and embossing art. Photo: Huy Thu

On the walls of the lower communal house, there are also reliefs of horses, generals, scrolls... In addition, there are also vivid and graceful paintings of dragons and phoenixes. In the photo: An ancient painting of a phoenix on the front of Tam Mai communal house. Photo: Huy Thu

Tam Mai Communal House worships Princess Bach Y and other gods who have contributed to the people and the country. Having existed for a long time, the communal house is a testament to many historical events in the locality and was recognized as a provincial-level Historical - Cultural Relic in 2008. Mr. Nguyen Son (69 years old) - the caretaker of Tam Mai Communal House said: The communal house is now severely degraded, the roof tiles have fallen off in many places, some artistic structures have collapsed... and need to be restored. Photo: Huy Thu