Location
My Son Holyland is located in Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, 50km west of Hoi An, 70km from Danang.
Characteristics
My Son Holy See with several brick temples built between the 7th and 13th centuries.
My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious relics that is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence. It comprises more than 70 architectural works, including temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs.
The main component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king. The main construction is the Kalan tower, surrounded by several sub-towers worshipping Genies or deceased kings. Although having been destroyed relatively by time and wars, the whole complex still bears a significant value as still marking the glorious time of the style and the art history of the Cham people throughout its remaining sculpture and architectural masterpiece.
All of the Cham towers were built on a quadrate foundations and each comprises three parts: a solid tower base, representing the world of human beings, the mysterious and sacred tower body, representing the world of spirits, and the tower top built in the shape of a man offering flowers and fruits or of trees, birds, animals, etc., representing things that are close to the spirits and human beings.
More of the complex’s artefacts, especially statues of female dancers and genies worshipped by the Cham people, worship animals and artefacts of the daily communal activities, were collected and displayed at the Cham Architecture Museum in Danang city. Although there are not many remnants left, those that remain to display the typical sculptural works of the cultural value of the Cham nationality.