Tra Kieu Lion Citadel — Simhapura
Champa early capital (4th–8th c. CE)·Cham (Simhapura)·🇻🇳 Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
About
About Tra Kieu Lion Citadel — Simhapura
Tra Kieu Lion Citadel — Simhapura in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam is a Champa early capital (4th–8th c. CE) ancient-city attributed to Cham (Simhapura). Earthen-walled capital Simhapura with pedestal Tra Kieu Apsara sculptures. Tra Kieu excavations by Trian 1890: citadel walls 3 m thick, Apsara pedestals and Ganesh sculptures.
Why it mattersType-site for Cham (Simhapura) temple architecture
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronological sequence refinement
- 02Iconography program
Theories
- 01Shaivite cult centre
- 02Hydraulic kingship model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 4th c. CE
- Period
- Champa early capital (4th–8th c. CE)
- Culture
- Cham (Simhapura)
- Purpose
- Earthen-walled capital Simhapura with pedestal Tra Kieu Apsara sculptures
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 4th c. CE
Initial construction
c. 1990 CE
UNESCO / EFEO restoration
On the ground
Structures & features
15.8200° N · 108.2100° E · 15 m · 4 mapped features
Tra Kieu Lion Citadel — Simhapura — Citadel Walls
wallsCitadel or palace walls
15.8202° N · 108.2101° ETra Kieu Lion Citadel — Simhapura — Reservoir / Baray
barayHydraulic reservoir
15.8198° N · 108.2102° ETra Kieu Lion Citadel — Simhapura — Sculpture Pedestal
sculptureSculpture base with Apsara
15.8204° N · 108.2098° ETra Kieu Lion Citadel — Simhapura — Subsidiary Shrine
shrineSmall subsidiary shrine
15.8196° N · 108.2099° E