My Son Sanctuary - UNESCO World Heritage Site near Hoi An

According to the ancient books, My Son Sanctuary was built in the late fourth century, under the dynasty of King Bhadravarman. The earliest inscription on the stele in My Son, said King Bhadresvara built a wooden temple to worship Shiva- Bhadravarman. More than two centuries later, this first temple was destroyed in a major fire. In the early seventh century, King Sambhuvarman rebuilt the Cham temple by bricks that still exists today. The emperors later renovated the old temples and built new temples to worship their gods. In the later of XIII century, King Pramesvaraman was the last dynasty that restored and construct My Son. In addition, the two kings: Harivarman (1074) and Jaya Harivarman (1157) who were worshiped there, also restored and construct My Son Sanctuary. Brick is a good material to retain the memory of a mysterious people and the technique of building Cham towers so far is still a mystery. People still do not find the appropriate solution for the material, the method of firing bricks and construction.

With more than 70 brick-and-stone constructions built between the 4th and 13th centuries, My Son Sanctuary became the most important religious and cultural center of Champa Kingdom.
 

During the Vietnam War, the valley served as a retreat for the Vietnam. About 50 temples were completely destroyed during the bombardments by the Americans. Today, the entire area is still marked by bomb impacts everywhere. Traces in the existing temples and steles still bear witness to the volley of gunfire.

*** Architecture of My Son Sanctuary:

According to many researchers of the ancient Cham towers, the architectural art of the Cham towers at My Son Sanctuary is the convergence of different styles, including the continuity of the ancient style in the 7th – 8th centuries, the Hoa Lai style of the 8th – 9th centuries, the Dong Duong style from the mid-9th century, the My Son and My Son – Binh Dinh styles, etc.

Arranged in clusters, from two or more towers. There are walls, yards, roads connecting the towers together. Each tower has its own function. 

The main temple (Kalan):