The unique architecture of Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, Ninh Binh

Phat Diem Stone Cathedral is a harmonious and distinctive blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles, attracting tourists from near and far to Ninh Binh .

Phat Diem Stone Cathedral is one of the national historical and cultural relics in Ninh Binh. (Source: To Quoc)

Phat Diem Stone Cathedral is considered the most beautiful Catholic church complex in Vietnam. The complex is located on an area of ​​22 hectares in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province.

The Phat Diem Stone Church was built in the late 19th century by Father Peter Tran Luc (also known as Uncle Sau), the parish priest of Phat Diem, who was appointed parish priest in 1865. After many years of research, perfecting the architectural plans, and concentrating financial and material resources, the church was constructed.

The Phat Diem church complex includes the main church and five smaller churches, one of which is built entirely of natural stone, known as the stone church; a pavilion (bell tower); ponds and lakes; and three artificial caves. (Source: To Quoc)

The church is constructed primarily of stone and wood. Each stone and wooden slab seems to bloom with exquisite carvings and intricate details. Most notably, the stone carvings are incredibly soft and graceful, with some pieces of stone only 3.5 cm thick.

The entire architectural complex comprises 9 truss systems, each crafted by a different group of artisans. Therefore, each truss system possesses its own unique cultural characteristics, reflecting the rich aesthetic sense of skilled craftsmen.

Furthermore, the church was built entirely of stone without the need for a reinforced concrete core. The most difficult part of the project was the foundation work. Because Kim Son was originally a swampy alluvial plain, the parish priest, Peter Tran Luc, had to have thousands of tons of stone quarried and transported from a mountain in Thanh Hoa to prevent subsidence, including some blocks of stone weighing up to 20 tons. At the same time, Mr. Luc also had hundreds of ironwood trees harvested and transported from the mountains of Nghe An to build the structure.

The pavilion consists of three levels built from large stone slabs, with a three-arched gateway structure commonly seen in Vietnamese architecture. (Source: Tổ Quốc)

However, what fascinates cultural researchers and architects about the Phat Diem Cathedral complex is the harmonious blend of Eastern temple and pagoda architecture with Western Gothic architecture. Mr. Sau was the designer who created the cathedral with incredibly novel details. Perhaps because he was not a Catholic but a Buddhist, his design skillfully combined Western church architecture with the curved roofs reminiscent of Buddhist temples.

The artistic excellence of Phat Diem Cathedral clearly demonstrates the harmony between Vietnamese stone carving and wood carving art, such as the cross (a symbol of Catholicism) resting on a lotus pedestal (a symbol of Buddhism), the Buddhist swastika symbols carved on rosary flowers, and the stone and wood reliefs depicting Jesus and saints; among them, the saints are dressed in Vietnamese-style attire, looking vivid, familiar, and relatable like folk paintings; the stone columns carved with lotus flowers represent the stages of "birth - aging - sickness - death" according to Buddhist philosophy.

The cathedral began construction in 1891 and was officially named the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. Inside, the large church has 52 supporting columns, arranged in 6 rows, dividing the church space into 9 aisles. (Source: Tổ Quốc)

Even more impressive is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Mary, built entirely of stone. The sanctuary is resplendent with gold leaf and intricate carvings, yet it still evokes a sense of gentleness and peace thanks to its simple and familiar design based on the Eastern principle of I Ching: "heaven is round, earth is square." It also features a biblical verse carved into the stone in early Vietnamese script.

It can be said that the Phat Diem Cathedral Complex is a harmonious and sophisticated blend of Western church architecture and traditional Eastern architecture. Catholicism brings faith to people, but the architectural style and worship space strongly resemble the traditional communal houses and pagodas that are deeply ingrained in the consciousness of East Asians in general and Vietnamese people in particular, creating a sense of peace and protection. This is also a symbol of the encounter between Catholicism and the traditional beliefs of the Vietnamese people from a very early period.

Construction of this church began in 1883 with its original name being the Chapel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The church is made entirely of stone, from the foundation, walls, columns, and window frames, with very lively decorative reliefs... (Source: Tổ Quốc)

Having existed for over 130 years, despite numerous impacts from natural disasters and wars, the structure has been preserved in its original state to this day. The Phat Diem Cathedral complex was classified as a National Historical and Cultural Monument in 1988.

Ninh Binh province and relevant agencies are finalizing the dossier to propose that UNESCO recognize Phat Diem Cathedral as a World Cultural Heritage site. Phat Diem Stone Cathedral is not only a place of worship for parishioners but also a famous tourist destination in Ninh Binh province. Every year, Phat Diem Stone Cathedral attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists to visit and explore.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/kham-pha-viet-nam-kien-truc-doc-dao-o-nha-tho-da-phat-diem-ninh-binh-287581.html