Di tích lịch sử Nghè Vẹt

21/12/2024 36 0

Located in Xóm Đoài, Vĩnh Hùng Commune, Vĩnh Lộc District, Thanh Hóa Province, Nghè Vẹt is a unique wooden architectural structure that bears a deep historical and cultural significance. In 1994, Nghè Vẹt was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as a National Historical and Cultural Site, affirming its great value to the history of the nation.

Since ancient times, the people in the region have built Nghè Vẹt to worship the village guardian, Quản Gia Đô Bác Đại Vương Trịnh Phủ Quân ( a title for someone with both administrative and military roles, such as a noble or a high-ranking official in historical Viet Nam) Trịnh Ra . According to popular legends and several historical documents, Trịnh Ra was known for his intelligence, quick wit, and loyalty. Despite being a government official, he often used his wealth to help the poor. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title “Đương Giang Quản Gia Thần Vương” (Guardian God of the River). Subsequent kings and rulers continued to issue royal decrees honoring him. To commemorate his contributions, people from many villages along the Mã River built temples in his honor, elevating Trịnh Ra to the status of village guardian. Nghè Vẹt is one such temple.

By the time of Lord Trịnh Kiểm, the monument was officially named the 'Vẹt Temple' and constructed on a grand scale, featuring majestic 'horizontal and vertical pavilions.' The monument included an inner sanctum to house the throne and the ancestral tablet of the late Trịnh Ra. Additionally, the outer halls were dedicated to the worship of Queen Hoàng Thị Dốc, the mother of Minh Khang Thái Vương Trịnh Kiểm, as well as to the twelve generations of the Trịnh Lords.

The Vẹt Temple is located on a land area of approximately 2,000 square meters. In front of the courtyard, there remains a stone bell hung on a stand, intricately carved with delicate patterns. When struck, it produces a resonant, melodious sound akin to that of a bell. In the center of the courtyard stands a screen, flanked by a pair of stone tortoises kneeling in reverence. These statues serve to ward off malevolent forces from entering, enhancing the sacredness of the temple.

The temple faces south, with its back resting against the mountains and its front overlooking the river. The front hall consists of 11 interconnected bays, with the architectural beams arranged in a symmetrical pattern. Inside, there is an altar and ancestral tablets for the Trịnh Lords. The main construction material used for the temple is wood, with tiled roofing. According to local people, the Vẹt Temple was built through the combined efforts of hundreds of skilled craftsmen from all over the country at the time. It is said that the Trịnh Lords assigned each 'province and district' to craft one 'beam,' and once completed, these beams were brought to Biện Thượng for assembly and construction. In order to ensure the durability of the structure, the wood used was selected entirely from large, high-quality lim trees. Unlike many other monuments of the same period, the Vẹt Temple does not focus on intricate carved details but emphasizes symmetry, creating a majestic and enduring beauty for the monument.

Inside the monument, many artifacts are also preserved, such as the grand inscription, a pair of wooden figurines in a kneeling position with clasped hands, a palanquin, and four wooden horses (two white and two brown). Notably, the pair of wooden parrots is believed to have been crafted by Lord Trịnh Kiểm himself shortly after returning victorious from battle, as a tribute to the noble deeds of the bird species. Mr. Lê Văn Dùng, who has managed the monument for many years, shared: 'In the past, the Trịnh Lords had many parrots made, with each wooden column featuring one parrot... But today, only the large pair of parrots remains, regarded as the 'symbol' of the monument, embodying the pride of our ancestors' tradition of remembering and honoring their roots.

Every year, on significant holidays (February 18th, the anniversary of Minh Khang Thái Vương Trịnh Kiểm's death, and November 14th, the anniversary of the death of Trịnh Ra), people from all around the region gather at the temple to offer sacrifices and pay their respects, creating a beautiful cultural tradition.

Located within the National Historical and Cultural Relic Complex of the Trịnh Lords’ Palace, the Vẹt Temple, with its ancient and solemn beauty, preserving numerous cultural values, is an attractive destination for pilgrims and visitors from near and far on their journey to honor their ancestors.

The interior space of the Vẹt Temple

The Stone Bell at the Vẹt Temple

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