Discover the architectural and sculptural art of the hundreds of years old family church

It is known that the Bui family in Xuan Bang village is a famous family in Thanh Yen land, having existed and developed for nearly 400 years with 17 generations, developing into 3 branches, 4 branches and many small factions. This is a family with a tradition of mandarin examinations, many people passed the exams. The Bui family's great temple was built around the end of the 17th century, currently there are 3 main works: the ceremonial gate, the lower hall and the upper hall.

The church's main gate is about 7m high, with a three-door, bell tower, rolling door, 2 floors, and an 8-roofed tower, covered with scale tiles. The top of the main gate is flanked by two dragons facing the moon, and the 8 corners of the roof of the main gate are curved at the tip of the knife. Photo: Huy Thu

The upper floor of the gate has four arched doors, decorated with pine, chrysanthemum, bamboo and apricot blossoms. In the middle of the floor is a chessboard for playing "joyful death". On both sides of the pillar-shaped structure are the parallel sentences: "Luân thuong lương đồng quả/Tuấn dung long môn khoat" with the meaning "Luân thuong đạo lý nhà hoàng vô là. Riding a horse in glory, the dragon gate is wide open". On the outside of the gate are four large Chinese characters: "Trung lap bất y" meaning standing tall between heaven and earth. Photo: Huy Thu

The lower level of the gate has embossed tiger faces on both the inside and outside. The gate has been repainted recently but still retains its ancient architectural beauty. Photo: Huy Thu

In the upper and lower houses, the art of wood carving is concentrated in the upper house. This is a 3-room, 2-wing house made of ironwood and jackfruit wood, with a four-pillar style, majestic above and rafters below, overlapping beams, and bamboo-bark-and-beams, with many elaborate and meticulous wooden structures. Photo: Huy Thu

The carvings on the upper hall, especially the front panels, reflect many traditional themes, folk tales (Su Wu herding goats; Fisherman Lu Wang; Carp transforming into a dragon; Bamboo transforming into a dragon) and folk activities in daily life (drinking wine, playing chess, playing musical instruments, reading books...). Photo: Huy Thu

In the past, the wooden parts inside the lower and upper halls were left untouched, more or less moldy. Recently, the descendants have treated and repainted the building, making it brighter and more beautiful. Photo: Huy Thu

The lower beams, as well as many other structures of the upper hall, are carved with images of the four sacred animals, the four seasons, flowers, leaves, clouds, etc. in a lively and flexible way. Photo: Huy Thu

The sculptures on the upper hall of the Bui family church are considered unique with diverse themes, skillful carvings and strong, sculptural panels. Photo: Huy Thu

The church still preserves many ancient sacrificial objects, such as dragon thrones, coffins, swords, large characters, parallel sentences... With its great values, the Bui family's great temple has been recognized as a provincial-level Historical - Architectural and Artistic Relic. On June 24, 2022, the People's Committee of Thanh Yen commune, Thanh Chuong district held a ceremony to receive the certificate of ranking the Bui family's great temple as a provincial-level Historical and Artistic Relic. In the photo: The middle room of the upper hall worships 3 dragon thrones, above is a red-lacquered and gilded horizontal lacquered board, engraved with 4 large Chinese characters: "Khanh Trieu Vu Lo". Photo: Huy Thu