One of the unique features of Hang Kenh Communal House (Hai Phong) is the nearly 400 dragons in the carvings, each with a different appearance.
The outlook of Hang Kenh Communal House
Hang Kenh Communal House, named by scholar Nhan Tho Communal House, popularly known as the Rong Bay (Flying Dragon) Communal House, on Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Hang Kenh Ward, Le Chan District), is located on an area of about 6,000 m².
The Communal House worships a national here, Emperor Ngo Quyen, who defeated the Southern Han army on the Bach Dang River in 938, opening a long-lasting era of independence and autonomy for the Vietnamese people.
The altar of Ngo Quyen in the communal house
According to researches, Hang Kenh communal house was built at the end of the 17th century at the latest. After hundreds of years of upheaval, the communal house was restored and rebuilt in 1851. In 2006 and 2007, a large investment in restoration and renovation, Hang Kenh communal house has become more and more majestic.
The unique feature of Hang Kenh communal house is the art of sculpture with hundreds of sophisticated carvings, the main theme is dragons and phoenixes. The carvings have many layers, representing a vivid sculptural world with many rich and diverse themes such as dragons, clouds, flowers, unicorns, phoenixes, etc.
It is worth mentioning that in more than 150 carvings of Hang Kenh communal house, there are nearly 400 dragons entwined, blending with flowers, leaves, grass, trees, birds, with skillful carving techniques, demonstrating the talent, quintessence as well as the desire for yin and yang harmony, favorable weather, and the growth of good things of the ancient folk craftsmen.
Each dragon here has its own distinct expressive nuances, making visitors feel like they are lost in a vivid and magical world of flying dragons. The carvings are all carved directly on large wooden trunks.
Among the carvings at Hang Kenh communal house, there are also some carvings depicting a glowing sword in the center with four bamboo shoots like dragon tails, placed symmetrically on both sides.
After more than 300 years of historical ups and downs, Hang Kenh communal house is still almost completely preserved as a large, majestic wooden architectural work.
In addition, the communal house also preserves many beautiful, rare works of art and worship objects with unique historical, cultural and scientific values, in which the image of the dragon still dominates.
In addition, the communal house preserves many dragon swords listed as antiques, typically a pair of precious swords dating from around the 17th century; a pair of elephant and horse statues dating from around the 19th century, both carved from wood standing on carts, placed in the central room…
With its unique architectural and artistic values, Hang Kenh communal house was ranked as a national monument in 1962, becoming a particularly important relic of Hai Phong city and a very attractive tourist destination, attract thousands of domestic and foreign tourists come to visit and admire.
Source: collected by An
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