By Quang Binh Tourism Department
Thua Thien Hue Province Departement of Tourism
Overview of Phuoc Tich Ancient VillageQuang Binh Tourism Department
Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is a small village surrounded by the O Lau river in Phong Dien district, the boundary between Quang Tri and Thua Thien - Hue provinces. After many historical ups and downs, Phuoc Tich village still retains the characteristics of a village bearing the traditional culture of Central Vietnam with heritage values including the artistic architecture of 26 houses, ancient pagodas, 12 houses to worship their families and temples, pagodas, and shrines. Especially the traces of Champa culture still continue to be worshiped and kept, as well as community activities in a peaceful space, worthy of being the second ancient village recognized as a National Heritage of Vietnam in 2009.
500 years of history
More than 500 years ago, in 1470, General Hoang Minh Hung, after winning the battle, returned and reclaimed the land on the bank of O Lau river. He then returned to his hometown in Cam Quyet, Quynh Luu and Nghe An and recruited countrymen to build the village. They were all ordained by the king the ancestor, village reclamation, or “thập nhị tôn phái” which means as the 12 families of village’s reclamation in which General Hoang Minh Hung was named the founder to this land. To remember that great merit, local people set up a temple to worship him. During the development process, the village has changed its name three times. The name Cam Quyet under Lord Nguyen was changed to Phuoc Giang, and in the time of Tay Son it was changed to Hoang Giang village. Until the beginning of the Gia Long Dynasty it was changed to Phuoc Tich and that name existed to date.
Phuoc Tich village templeQuang Binh Tourism Department
Phuoc Tich temple nowadays is the location of Trung communal house in the past. Previously, people in Phuoc Tich village built two houses; Dinh Dai (Dai temple) and Dinh Trung (Trung temple). Dinh Dai is located in Ha Hoa hamlet (Cau Hamlet) with a large scale, close to the works of Chua village, Van Thanh and Mieu Doi which are workshopping places for Mr. Khai Canh, Khai Khan, and for making sacrificial offerings. Dinh Trung is smaller than Dinh Dai, is located in Trung Hoa village (Dinh village), which is a place to worship the predecessors as well as place for villagers to meet.
In 1878, when a large fire burned both temples, Phuoc Tich villagers rebuilt Dinh Trung, set it up to be the village's main temple and transferred worshiping objects in Dinh Dai to Dinh Trung. In 1962 and 1999, the temple was rebuilt on the foundation of the old house, but smaller in scale. Phuoc Tich temple is located in the center of the village, facing the southwest, in front of the O Lau river.
The Phuoc Tich "Doi" templeQuang Binh Tourism Department
The temple was built in Ha Hoa hamlet (Cau hamlet) with a view of O Lau river, consisting of two temples worshiping Mr. "Khai Canh" and Mr. "Dao Nghe", lying parallel to each other on a land area of about 80m2, 100m from Phuoc Buu pagoda to the West.
The temple was built by "vo" brick in the style of ancient architecture. Arched door, above the ancient structure, is decorated with simple patterns. In the front of the temple are traces of some ancient verses in Chinese characters, made with porcelain, the content praises the merit of Mr. "Khai canh" and Mr. "Dao nghe", those who openly set up the village and spread the pottery profession in Phuoc Tich.
Miếu cây thị (Diospyros decandra temple) in Phuoc Tich villageQuang Binh Tourism Department
Cay Thi Temple (Gold Apple temple) located in Cay Thi sub-hamlet (also known as Trung Hoa sub-hamlet), Cay Thi Temple is situated next to an ancient Gold Apple tree known as 'cay thi' estimated to be over 600 years old. The temple was built of brick and has wars around its perimeter. In front of the temple stands a Binh prong (a barrier wall), flanked by arched-gateways decorated with phoenix images.
Based on its design and function, the temple is believed to have been a place of worship for Holy Mother Ponagar of Champa which was adapted to Vietnamese forms of worship. The ceremonial event at the temple takes place every year or the 16th of January (lunar calendar) which is also the "Spring day of worship" in that village.
Ho Van Te's ancient "ruong" houseQuang Binh Tourism Department
Nhà Rường - Hue traditional house
Characteristic structure of the "ruong" houseQuang Binh Tourism Department
In the structure of the "ruong" house we often encounter a dense system of beams. It is the system that surrounds the legs of the pillars together, called the threshold. whole house to connect There are many types rafters at the top of the pillars. There are also two supporting beams called the piercing
The roof of the ancient "ruong" houseQuang Binh Tourism Department
The roof is roofed with "liet" tiles. The house has four tile roofs on the front, back and both sides. The elaborately roofed tile creates certainty but does not weigh heavily on the house's rafter system, ensuring good tolerance to sun and rain and being able to withstand wind storms. The roof and the edge of the house are slippery, there is no decoration or floating style.
Phuoc Tich finished ceramics todayQuang Binh Tourism Department
Phuoc Tich traditional pottery was born along with the process of settling hamlets of villagers. The period of strong development of Phuoc Tich pottery profession in the 18th-19th century and the first decades of the 20th century.
Artisans paint ceramic detailsQuang Binh Tourism Department
Phuoc Thich Pottery is mainly household containers with simple patterns. The beauty is expressed through shaping and coordinating parts, such as straps and lids, creating rustic charm. The engravings on the ceramic lack color, but still look bold with its patterns.
Tools for making ancient potteryQuang Binh Tourism Department
Ancient pottery tools
Lo Sap Phuoc Tich, Phuoc Tich's signatureQuang Binh Tourism Department
Phuoc Tich ancient pottery kiln
Collection of ancient pottery of Phuoc TichQuang Binh Tourism Department
Phuoc Tich Pottery is present throughout the village in the central provinces. The reputation of the brand of "Dooc Phuoc Tich" gradually spread has brought wealth to the villagers. At the same time, it creates the traditional cultural identity of the Central Vietnam village.
Management Board of Phuoc Tich Ancient Village
http://langcophuoctich.com
Photo: Tran Tuan Viet
