(BNP) – The Temple of Cao Lỗ Vương, located on the alluvial bank of the Duong River in Dai Trung Hamlet (Lo Village), Cao Duc Commune, Bac Ninh Province, is dedicated to Cao Lỗ Vương, who is credited with designing the legendary Divine Crossbow that helped King An Duong Vuong (Thuc Phan) defend the ancient kingdom of Au Lac.
According to local historical records and relics, Cao Lỗ, whose given name was Lo and courtesy name Thong, was born in Sy Lo Hamlet, Dai Than area, Gia Binh District of the former Vu Ninh Prefecture (present-day Bac Ninh Province).
From an early age, Cao Lỗ was known for his intelligence and eagerness to learn. Excelling in both civil and military affairs, he later joined King An Duong Vuong in resisting foreign invaders. In recognition of his military achievements, he was granted the noble title of Marquis.
When King An Duong Vuong built the Co Loa Citadel (now in Hanoi), Cao Lỗ was entrusted with designing and supervising its construction. He subsequently created the legendary Divine Crossbow, regarded as an outstanding military invention of ancient Vietnam. According to legend, the weapon could fire hundreds of arrows with a single shot, playing an important role in defending the kingdom against foreign invaders. It later became known as the Linh Quang Divine Crossbow.
In recognition of his contributions to the nation, successive dynasties bestowed upon Cao Lỗ the title of Supreme Tutelary Deity. Local people built a temple in his hometown to commemorate his loyalty and contributions to the country.
Despite undergoing several restorations over the centuries, the temple has retained many architectural and artistic features dating from the Le and Nguyen dynasties.
Located outside the Duong River dyke, the temple faces east towards the river, with the Dai Ha dyke to the west and farmland stretching to the north and south.
The complex follows the traditional "Tien Cong, Hau Quoc" architectural layout and comprises the Outer Temple, Middle Temple, and Upper Temple.
The temple preserves 20 royal ordination decrees (sac phong) issued by successive Vietnamese monarchs. The oldest surviving decree dates back to 1796 during the Canh Hung reign, while the most recent was issued in 1924 during the Khai Dinh reign. Other valuable relics include lacquered horizontal boards, parallel couplets, worship thrones, ancestral tablets, ceremonial insignia, a pair of stone crocodile sculptures and numerous other ritual objects.
These relics not only provide historical evidence of the temple's long existence but also represent valuable examples of artistic craftsmanship from the Le and Nguyen dynasties.
Every year, on the 10th day of the third lunar month, residents from eight villages of the ancient Dai Than area—Dai Trung, Dong Trung, Binh Than, Tieu Than, Van Than, Phu Than, Kenh Pho and My Loc—jointly organize a traditional festival featuring a ceremonial procession in honour of Cao Lo Vuong.
Recognizing its historical, cultural and architectural significance, the temple was designated a provincial historical relic by the former Ha Bac Province in 1988. In 2005, it was recognised as a National Historical Relic by the former Ministry of Culture and Information.
Adjacent to the temple is the Mausoleum of Cao Lo Vuong, located in Tieu Than Village, Cao Duc Commune.
According to historical records and local legends, Cao Lỗ, a native of the Luc Dau–Binh Than region, was killed in battle while defending the kingdom of Au Lac against the invading forces of Zhao Tuo (Trieu Da) near the Co Loa Citadel. Legend has it that a tiger carried his body back to his homeland, where local villagers buried him with full honours. His mausoleum in Tieu Than Village remains an important historical site associated with this legend.
In recent years, both the temple and the mausoleum have been restored, upgraded and expanded. Today, the complex has become a popular cultural and historical destination, attracting visitors and pilgrims from across the country.
