Bang An Tower — Dien Ban
Champa (12th c. CE)·Cham·🇻🇳 Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
About
About Bang An Tower — Dien Ban
Bang An Tower — Dien Ban in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam is a Champa (12th c. CE) temple-complex attributed to Cham. Octagonal brick tower with unique 8-sided plan among Cham towers (like Phu Dien). Unique octagonal plan late Tran phase, octagonal yoni-linga inside, locals called Tower of Bang An.
Why it mattersType-site for Cham temple architecture
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronological sequence refinement
- 02Iconography program
Theories
- 01Shaivite cult centre
- 02Hydraulic kingship model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1150 CE
- Period
- Champa (12th c. CE)
- Culture
- Cham
- Purpose
- Octagonal brick tower with unique 8-sided plan among Cham towers (like Phu Dien)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1150 CE
Initial construction
c. 1990 CE
UNESCO / EFEO restoration
On the ground
Structures & features
15.9200° N · 108.2600° E · 10 m · 4 mapped features
Bang An Tower — Dien Ban — Central Sanctuary Tower
towerCentral kalan or prang shrine
15.9202° N · 108.2601° EBang An Tower — Dien Ban — Mandapa / Gopura Hall
mandapaEntrance mandapa or gopura
15.9198° N · 108.2602° EBang An Tower — Dien Ban — Enclosure and Moat
enclosureOuter laterite enclosure and moat
15.9205° N · 108.2598° EBang An Tower — Dien Ban — Subsidiary Shrine
shrineSmall subsidiary shrine
15.9196° N · 108.2599° E