Po Rome Tower: The Last of the Champa Kingdom

Po Rome Tower: The Last of the Champa Kingdom

Located on a high hill not very far from National Highway 1A and only about 2 kilometers away from Cham village, Po Rome Tower is an ancient tower in Ninh Thuan of Ninh Phuoc province. Though built from XVII century, the tower remained undamaged. Cham people built the tower to worship King Po Rome (1627 - 1651). The whole construction includes two towers: the main tower worshipping Po Rome King while the second one is dedicated to the Queen. The sub-tower, however, has collapsed. The main structure which is 8 meters high, has 4 floors. Its main door is embossed with Siva God and fire symbol. On its South, North and West are disguided doors on which have sitting human statues with clasped praying.

In the inside center of the tower is the statue of King Po Rome. Besides it is a half-body statue of a woman which the Cham call statue of Po Bia Sancan Queen. Another statue which is of Sucih Queen, stands outside the tower.

  Compared to other Champa Tower, the design of Po Rome Tower is less delicate and extravagant in terms of decoration despite the big tower architecture. The tower and its decorations are mostly created by bricks. In fact, Po Rome is the last tower of the Cham which is made from brick and also the last big tower of Champa kingdom. However, despite being less elegant and sophisticated as the older towers, it is great and majestic brick architecture of the Cham which is strongly valuable in architecture art.   At present, the Cham people still come to the tower on their holidays and perform ritualsduring festivals and ceremonies.