A unique architectural wonder in Ninh Binh

Phat Diem Cathedral, considered the most beautiful Catholic church in Vietnam, is located in Phat Diem Town, Kim Son District, Ninh Binh Province. Often called the “Catholic capital of Vietnam,” the cathedral is a remarkable blend of ancient Vietnamese architecture and European Gothic influences.

The church complex, built entirely from stone and ironwood, took 24 years to complete, from 1875 to 1899. Under the guidance of Father Peter Tran Luc, also known as Father Sau, the construction involved hundreds of workers who transported materials from distant provinces.

A masterpiece of stone and ironwood

The cathedral complex comprises one main church (the cathedral itself), five smaller churches (including Saint Rocco Church, Saint Joseph Church, and Saint Peter Church), a bell tower (Phuong Dinh), lakes, and three artificial stone caves.

The bell tower, completed in 1899, is one of the most impressive structures within the complex. Standing 25 meters tall, 17 meters wide, and 24 meters long, it features three tiers built from large stone slabs. The lower tier is made of green stone, with intricately carved stone arches.

The second tier houses a massive drum, while the third tier holds a bell that is 1.4 meters high, 1.1 meters in diameter, and weighs nearly 2,000 kilograms, cast in 1890.

The main cathedral, inaugurated in 1891, measures 74 meters in length, 21 meters in width, and 15 meters in height. It features four roofs and five entrances. Inside, 48 massive ironwood columns support the structure, with the tallest ones reaching 11 meters and measuring 2.35 meters in diameter. Each column weighs approximately 10 tons.

The famous stone church

One of the most unique structures within the complex is the stone church, constructed in 1883. Known as the "Stone Church" for its complete use of stone materials, it measures 15.3 meters long, 8.5 meters wide, and 6 meters high.

The interior walls and pillars are adorned with stone carvings depicting symbolic motifs of Vietnamese culture, including the four seasons represented by pine, chrysanthemum, bamboo, and apricot.

The construction materials, including large ironwood logs from Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Son Tay, and stone from the Thien Duong mountains in Hoa Lu, were transported using primitive methods from the late 19th century.

Some ironwood columns measure 12 meters in length, 2.4 meters in diameter, and weigh up to 7 tons. Meanwhile, some stone slabs weigh as much as 20 tons.

Preservation and maintenance efforts

Despite nearly 130 years of existence, Phat Diem Cathedral remains remarkably well-preserved despite the impacts of natural disasters and wars.

Currently, the cathedral is undergoing maintenance to replace approximately 1,500 square meters of old roof tiles with lighter, more durable traditional tiles to prevent leaks and enhance preservation.

With its distinct blend of Vietnamese and Western architectural styles, Phat Diem Cathedral attracts thousands of visitors annually, making it not only a place of worship but also a prominent cultural and historical landmark.

Tran Nghi - Duy Tuan