Phat Diem Church (Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province), known as the “Catholic capital” of Vietnam, is not only a unique architectural work of East-West cultural integration but also contains The story of strange and unique while still standing firmly in front of the bombs of French colonialism and American imperialism. This unique architectural style makes this place become one of the most attractive destination in Ninh Binh tourism.
The Construction of Phat Diem church
Built in nearly 30 years (from 1875 to 1899) by Rev. Peter Tran Luc (Phat Diem diocese priest since 1865), simulated the traditional Vietnamese temple architecture, Phat Diem church Architectural is unique not only in Vietnam but also in the world.
The East-West combination
Situated on an area of over 20 hectares, the church consists of 11 buildings built with the rational layout, forming a beautiful ancient landscape. Over 100 years, the buildings are almost intact. In front of the church is a rectangular lake surrounded by stone embankments. In the middle of the lake, there is a small green island with shady trees and a white stone statue of Jesus with two hands outstretching, eyes looking straight ahead.
The first destination is the Phuong Dinh, three-storeys building 25m high, 17m wide, 24m long, was assembled from the monolithic gray stone. In the middle of the first floor laid a monolithic stone slab, above which are delicate sculptures carved images of Jesus and saints. Each arch is also a sophisticated stone sculpture.
Located a short distance from the Phuong Dinh, is the main church, built in 1891 with the official name of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (now the cathedral church of Phat Diem). The main cathedral is 74m long, 21m wide, 15m high, with four roofs and five entrances under the carved stone arches. The front of the main church is carved with lotus flowers, chrysanthemums, Sakura flower, letter rolls, wine barrels … Another unique feature is the huge sculpture in the middle of the church with the image of 17 angels in the Rosary Gardens with the look of folk figures.
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