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After decades of construction, Phat Diem Church still retains its impressive beauty, a blend of Asian and European styles, and attracts a large number of tourists to visit every year.
Phat Diem Church is known as a famous Catholic architectural landmark in Kim Son - Ninh Binh, boasting over 130 years of history and featuring a unique and distinct architectural style compared to its era. Up to now, this place still retains its impressive ancient beauty and has become an attractive tourist destination in Ninh Binh. Our article will share with you helpful information about Phat Diem Church to help you have the best preparation for your trip to Ninh Binh.
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1. Overview of Phat Diem Church
Located in Phat Diem Town, Kim Son District, Ninh Binh Province, Phat Diem Church is renowned for its long construction history and impressive design that merges elements of Buddhism and CatholicismThe church is situated about 28 km south of Ninh Binh city and has an area of 22 hectares with a width of 117 meters and a length of 243 meters.
To create this massive structure, in 1875, Father Peter Tran Luc started construction and selected wood and stone materials from neighboring provinces. After about 23 years of continuous construction until 1898, the church was officially completed and put into operation. In 1988, it was ranked as a National Historical and Cultural Relic. Currently, this is the oldest church in Vietnam. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the church is built entirely of stone and wood in ancient architectural style, reflecting the appearance of traditional communal houses, temples, pagodas and palaces.
2. Best Places to Visit at Phat Diem Church
Phat Diem Church is a complex that includes a large church and 5 small churches, including one made of solid natural stone, Phuong Dinh, ponds, and 3 artificial caves. This Phat Diem Cathedral has many details carved very delicately. Around the building are decorated countless familiar images of Vietnamese villages such as pine, chrysanthemum, bamboo, apricot or lotus flowers.
The entire carpentry, interior of the church, and the walls on both sides are made of large-trunk ironwood. The roofs are covered with fish-tail tiles, the traditional type of tiles in temples.
2.1 Phuong Dinh (Square Hall) - the Bell Tower
One of the architectural masterpieces within the Phat Diem Church complex is Phuong Dinh. The name "Phuong Dinh" refers to a square house that resembles a large communal temple. The structure is 21 meters wide, 25 meters high, consisting of 3 floors. The entrance to this building is designed like the Tam Quan gate, built with green stone materials with sophisticated techniques, on the cliffs are reliefs of the Saints as well as recording the story of Jesus.
The largest lower level is built entirely from precisely cut green stone, divided into three sections, with each section containing a stone altar. The central altar is the largest, measuring 4.2 meters in length, 3.2 meters in width, and 0.3 meters in thickness.
The second level houses a large drum, while the third level features a bell that stands 1.4 meters tall, has a diameter of 1.1 meters, and weighs nearly 2 tons, cast in 1890.
The roof of Phuong Dinh has five vaults, with the four lower corners being shorter and the tallest vault situated in the center of the third level. Unlike the soaring steeples of Western cathedrals, the roof is an ancient, gently sloping curve reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese pagodas and communal homes. The two outer walls of the square have bamboo-shaped stone bars, and on the outer walls of the lower floor are reliefs depicting the story of Jesus, from entering Jerusalem to ascending to heaven.
2.2 Heart of Virgin Mary Church - the Stone Church
One of the stone houses in the complex of five small churches at Phat Diem is the Heart of Virgin Mary. This was the first structure built in this historical site. The Heart of Virgin Mary is 15.3m long and 8.5m wide, with most of the items inside such as columns, beams, walls, floors, towers and bars made of stone. That is why this construction is also known as the Stone Church.
Inside the stone church, there are many beautiful relief sculptures, particularly a set of carvings depicting the "Four Noble Plants," which include pine, plum, chrysanthemum, and bamboo, symbolizing the weather and the unique beauty of the four seasons of the year. The intricate details capture animals such as lions and phoenixes in a remarkably vivid manner.
2.3 The Great Cathedral
The Great Cathedral in Phat Diem Church is located in the center with a length of 74m, a width of 21m, 5 entrances and 4 elaborately carved roofs. The main area houses a grand altar made from a single block of stone, adorned with carvings representing the four seasons on both the front and back. In addition to the main church, the other small churches within the complex are also uniquely crafted from stone.
The main altar is a monolithic stone slab 3m long, 0.9m wide, and 0.8m high with three sides carved with flowers and leaves.
The roof of the Great Cathedral is constructed in a layered style with two tiers separated by windows. At the end of the church is a palanquin made of marble, arched into 5 entrances to the church. Above the tower are the fish-tail tiles with delicate curved ends, creating a unique combination of Indochinese architecture.
2.4 Others inside Phat Diem Church
In addition to the aforementioned structures, on both the left and right sides of the Great Cathedral, there are two adjacent small churches, which include St. Peter’s Church, St. Joseph’s Church, St. Boco Church, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Each church has a different design, both in terms of exterior and interior.
Three artificial grottoes located to the north of Phat Diem Cathedral are created using various large and small stones, preserving their natural appearance. Each grotto features large statues.
3. Best Time to Visit Phat Diem Church
You can visit Phat Diem Church at any time of the year. However, to feel the atmosphere and fully admire the beauty of this Catholic building, Christmas is the best time to visit. At this time, Phat Diem Stone Church is filled with sparkling lights and brilliant colors, miniature decorations, and splendid pine trees. Especially there are many attractive programs and festival activities for the parishioners, so let's consider and reschedule your plan to have the best experience in Ninh Binh.
4. How to Get to Phat Diem Church
Phat Diem Church is about 120 kilometers away from Hanoi, so it normally takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to get there. Visitors can easily travel to the cathedral by many means of transportation, such as motorbikes, cars, taxis, or buses.
- Motorbike: It will be suitable if you are physically fit and want to explore the sunny and windy roads on your own. It will take about 2 hours to travel to Phat Diem Church.
- Private car/Taxi: This is an ideal option for someone who is into privacy. You can get private transportation by booking with a local travel agency, through your hotel, or by self-booking on online apps such as Xanh SM, Be, and Grab.
- Shuttle bus: This option is the most popular among both domestic tourists and foreigners due to its convenience. You can choose Khanh An Limousine (hotline 19008629 or 19001035) for the required pick-up and drop-off points.
- Bus: You can catch a bus from My Dinh Bus Station or Giap Bat Bus Station in Hanoi to Ninh Binh City. It costs about VND 70,000 to 100,000 VND. Then, you can catch a taxi to the cathedral.
5. Tips to Visit Phat Diem Church
- Be quiet, do not disturb others, do not step on or sit on statues, or draw on stone structures, statues, reliefs, patterns, etc.
- Choose appropriate clothing, better with clothes covering your shoulders and knees.
- Prepare an extra bottle of water to replenish your energy during your visit.
- Bring water, an umbrella, or a hat in summer to protect your skin from harsh sunlight.
- Take off your hat when going inside.
It can be said that Phat Diem Church is a harmonious and sophisticated blend of Western church architecture and traditional Eastern architecture. Thanks to this unique structure, this place has become an attractive tourist destination for domestic and international visitors, a highlight in the panoramic picture of historical relics and scenic spots of Ninh Binh homeland.
We hope that our travel guide about Phat Diem has brought you some ideas to best prepare for your next trip to Vietnam. If you have any further questions about daily tours or package tours to Phat Diem Church, feel free to leave a comment below, or contact us directly via email: sm@izitour.com or WhatsApp: +84 382 536 266 for instant assistance.
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