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The Phat Diem Cathedral (or The Stone Cathedral of Phat Diem) is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phat Diem, located in Kim Son District of Ninh Binh Province in Vietnam. It is a Catholic church complex considered the most beautiful in Vietnam.
Therefore, our travel experts also put Phat Diem Cathedral on the list of must-visit places in Ninh Binh Vietnam.
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A Brief History of Phat Diem Cathedral
Phat Diem Cathedral was built by the priest Father Tran Luc (Père Six in French) in 1891 in the Vietnamese style, blended with stone walls in European neo-Gothic style. His tomb is placed in the front yard of the cathedral.
The Architecture of Phat Diem Cathedral Vietnam
Phat Diem Stone Cathedral complex includes 1 large church and 5 small churches, including a church designed entirely of natural stone, called the stone church, 1 Phuong Dinh (Bell tower), and 3 artificial stone caves.
Phat Diem Cathedral is located about 28 km south of Ninh Binh city and has an area of 22 hectares, about 117 meters wide and 243 meters long.
To build this massive construction, priest Peter Tran Luc in 1875 selected wood and stone materials from neighboring provinces and cities. After about 23 years of construction until 1898, the church was officially completed and came into operation.
The entire carpentry, interior of the church, and the walls on both sides are made of large ironwood. The roof is covered with a traditional type of tile in temples and pagodas.
The complex is arranged in an overall Wang shape, creating an Asian traditional landscape: with a lake in the front, and mountains in the back, which according to the old concept of Feng Shui, is the symbol of peace and prosperity.
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Best Things to Do in Phat Diem Cathedral Complex
Visiting the Front Lake
The Front Lake is rectangular, about 4 hectares wide, surrounded by stone embankments located directly facing the way from Phat Diem town leading to the church.
In the middle of the lake is an island on which stands the statue of Jesus Christ.
Exploring Phuong Dinh (Square Hall) - the Bell Tower
Phuong Dinh, or square hall is considered the focal point of Phat Diem Ninh Binh. It is 21 m wide, and 25 m high, including 3 floors.
The largest and also the first floor is built entirely of square greenstone. The second floor hangs a large drum and the third floor hangs a bell cast in 1890 which is 1.4m high and 1.1m in diameter, weighing nearly two tons.
Visiting the Big Church
The Big church is the main church built in 1891 (74m long, 21m wide), including four roofs and six rows of ironwood columns.
The main altar is a stone slab 3m long, 0.9m wide, and 0.8m high with flowers carved on three sides.
Admiring the Heart of Mary
The Heart of Mary was built in 1883 using 100% monolithic natural stone. It has a length of 15.30m, a width of 8.50m, and a height of 6m, and is also known as the stone cathedral of Phat Diem Ninh Binh.
The inside of the church is carved with the four precious species of plants and flowers of Vietnam: pine, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and apricot, symbolizing the weather and beauty of the four seasons in a year.=
Phat Diem Cathedral is a unique architecture in Vietnam, with a harmonious and sophisticated combination of Western church architecture and traditional Eastern architecture.
To plan your trip to Phat Diem Cathedral Vietnam in the most convenient way, don’t forget to check out the best time to visit Ninh Binh,the food, and the accommodation.
>> Book Phat Diem Catholic Capital & Galaxy Cave Full Day Tour
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