The main hall of Phổ Quang Pagoda has been destroyed. Photo courtesy of the Department of Cultural Heritage

PHÚ THỌ — Fire destroyed an 800 year old heritage relic yesterday, the Phổ Quang Pagoda in Xuân Lũng Commune, Lâm Thao District, the northern province of Phú Thọ.

In an initial report on the damage after the fire, the People's Committee of Xuân Lũng Commune said that the Tam Bảo (main hall) and the system of 27 Buddha statues in the pagoda were completely ruined.

A lotus-shaped stone altar in the main hall had its petals broken.

The fire is estimated to have caused about VNĐ25 billion (US$985,000) in damage.

A lotus-shaped stone altar in the main hall had its disctinctive petals broken. Photo courtesy of the Department of Cultural Heritage

Phổ Quang Pagoda is a national relic dating back over 800 years and had contained a wealth of ancient statues dating back hundreds of years.

Of particular historical interest was the lotus-shaped stone altar from the Trần Dynasty (from 1225 to 1400), which was declared a national treasure in 2021.

The Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested local authorities to assess the damage and propose a restoration plan.

Phú Thọ Province is investigating the cause of fire. — VNS