Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
Cely’s map is not only accurate, but captures the unique characteristics of Congaree’s trees and waterways.
How One Biologist Drew a Hyper-Accurate, Ranger-Approved Map of Congaree National Park
Though they’re protected inside the park, wolves can be killed when they cross its borders.
Wolves Have a Bad Reputation. One Yellowstone Naturalist Is Trying to Fix It.

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Laos Vientiane That Dam (Black Stupa)

That Dam (Black Stupa)

This mysterious tower is said to enshrine a dormant seven-headed serpent that once protected Vientiane from destruction.

Vientiane, Laos

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
That Dam (Black Stupa)   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Lee Scott / Atlas Obscura User
That Dam (Black Stupa).   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
That Dam (Black Stupa).   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The ancient stupa standing tall and proud.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
That Dam, the Black Tower of Vientiane.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Not a lot of historic landmarks in Vientiane remain in their original forms, having been numerous wars and invasions—particularly the Siamese onslaught of 1827 and the Indochina Wars that lasted for 55 years. A few exceptions are Wat Si Saket, a Buddhist temple built in 1818, and That Dam, an ancient stupa steeped in legend.

Standing in the center of a roundabout near the Talat Sao morning market, the stupa is believed to be around 500 years old, though the exact date of construction remains uncertain. The name That Dam (not that dam) means “black tower” in Lao, based on its current status. However, it was not always darkened and overrun with weeds; local legends claim that it was once gilded over and that the gold was all stripped away by the Siamese invaders.

Generally, stupas are built to enshrine Buddhist relics, most often the ashes of monks and nuns, sometimes of kings. In the case of That Dam, it is unknown what is buried inside, but locals whisper of an intriguing legend. According to them, lying dormant underneath the stupa is the Naga, a seven-headed serpent that will awaken whenever Vientiane faces a crisis. Many of them believe that it has protected the city from the 1827 invasion, as well as on other historical occasions.

The stupa has fallen into disrepair since the Naga last showed itself, weather-worn and all but neglected, but there are still believers in the powerful serpent. In fact, some locals seem to continue to visit the ancient monument to dedicate flowers to the forgotten guardian of Vientiane, in hopes that its peaceful slumber will never again be disturbed.

Related Tags

Legends Architecture Stupas

Community Contributors

Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Edited By

Lee Scott

  • Lee Scott

Published

June 5, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
That Dam (Black Stupa)
140 Rue Samsenthai
Vientiane
Laos
17.965949, 102.611068
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Hor Lak Muang

Vientiane, Laos

miles away

Patuxai

Vientiane, Laos

miles away

Wat Si Muang

Vientiane, Laos

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Vientiane

Vientiane

Laos

Places 7

Nearby Places

Hor Lak Muang

Vientiane, Laos

miles away

Patuxai

Vientiane, Laos

miles away

Wat Si Muang

Vientiane, Laos

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Vientiane

Vientiane

Laos

Places 7

Related Places

  • Karla, India

    Karla Caves

    A complex of ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves with a large, well preserved prayer hall.

  • Palais Mussolini

    Cité Hached, Tunisia

    Palais Mussolini

    Despite the name, this unusual palace in rural Tunisia never belonged to an Italian dictator.

  • A white church with four small turrets, two of which appear to twist

    Curtea de Argeș, Romania

    Curtea de Argeș Monastery

    According to a gruesome legend, an architect sacrificed his wife to build this spectacular, 16th-century cathedral.

  • Paintings on the outside of Suceviţa Monastery

    Sucevița, Romania

    Suceviţa Monastery

    This fortress-like monastery is covered with intricate frescoes.

  • One of the Cornhill Devils.

    London, England

    The Cornhill Devils

    These Victorian era devil sculptures were designed to spite a local vicar.

  • Hadrian’s Gate

    Antalya, Turkey

    Hadrian’s Gate

    This arch granting triumphal entrance into Antalya was designed to honor the emperor's visit.

  • Wolf Craig

    Stirling, Scotland

    Wolf Craig

    A distinctive building that incorporates a mythical beast into its architecture.

  • Santa Maria del Soccorso

    Forio, Italy

    Santa Maria del Soccorso

    A snow-white church overlooking the wonderful Tyrrhenian Sea.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.