Historical images of Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge was restored in 1986 - Photo courtesy of Hoi An Heritage Management and Conservation Center

According to the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation, since its construction, the Japanese Covered Bridge has been restored at least eight times in 1763, 1817, 1875, 1915, 1962, 1986, 1996, and 2022.

Due to technical limitations and many other factors, the restorations before 2022 have not addressed the root causes of the relic's degradation.

The 1986 renovation is considered the most extensive renovation, not counting the 2022 renovation.

Due to the continued deterioration of the structure, at the international conference on the restoration of the Japanese Covered Bridge in 2016, the progress of dismantling this structure was officially set.

And by December 2022, the Japanese Covered Bridge relic will be completely disassembled to undergo 19 months of the largest-scale surgery in its 400 years of existence.

The Japanese Covered Bridge after restoration in 1986 - Photo courtesy of Hoi An Heritage Management and Conservation Center

The load-bearing wooden structures of the Chua Cau floor were repaired in 1986 - Photo courtesy of Hoi An Heritage Management and Conservation Center

The bridge's floor was severely damaged and had to be repaired in 1986 - Photo courtesy of Hoi An Heritage Management and Conservation Center

Photo of the Japanese Covered Bridge taken in 1934 - Photo provided by Mr. Nguyen Su

Image of the Japanese Covered Bridge during its most recent restoration in 1996 - Photo courtesy of Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation Center

The Japanese Covered Bridge was restored in 1996 - Photo courtesy of Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation Center

The abutment of the Japanese Covered Bridge was dredged for restoration in 1996 - Photo courtesy of Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation Center

Faced with the severe degradation of ancient relics, in 2000, Hoi An leaders invited "genie" Nguyen Cam Luy to assist, but Mr. Luy also... gave up - Photo: Provided by Mr. Nguyen Su

The Japanese Covered Bridge is like an old man, every year it has to be temporarily supported by wooden bars to prevent it from falling over - Photo: THAI BA DUNG

In December 2022, the Japanese Covered Bridge was officially demolished and completely dismantled to undergo the most fundamental restoration in its history - Photo: THAI BA DUNG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhung-hinh-anh-lich-su-cua-chua-cau-hoi-an-20240731141809374.htm