A firsthand look at the century-old stone church in Nghe An.

Bao Nham Parish - a magnificent church in Nghe An

Of all the tourist attractions in Nghe An today, Bao Nham Stone Church is perhaps the most impressive for many visitors. Not only does it possess profound historical and spiritual value, but it is also a famous destination attracting a large number of tourists from all over.

Bao Nham Stone Church, located in Tram hamlet, Bao Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, is one of the largest and oldest Catholic churches in what is now Nghe An province.

Located near National Highway 7A, Bao Nham Church is only about 50km north of Vinh City. To get there from the city center, visitors just need to follow National Highway 1A, then turn onto Highway 7A, and then travel another 15km to reach Bao Nham Stone Church.

History of Bao Nham Ancient Stone Church

According to many archival documents, in the past, a French priest named Adolphe Klinglé came to Yen Thanh to spread Christianity. He chose a location with many parishioners to build Bao Nham Church, and Bao Thanh commune was also chosen by him.

Bao Nham Stone Church

The ancient stone church of Bao Nham began construction in 1888 and was completed in 1904. Since then, this church has become an integral part of Yen Thanh district and a spiritual center for many parishioners in the area.

The unique architecture of Bao Nham stone church.

The Bao Nham stone church was built on a large open area of ​​over 7,000 square meters in the Luoxo church architectural style, reflecting French Gothic architecture. All building materials were sourced from the mountains of Thanh Hoa province. Each stone was cut to standard dimensions and transported by waterway to Yen Thanh for construction.

The building material for the Bao Nham Holy See was laterite stone quarried from Thanh Hoa.

These stone blocks, upon arrival at the construction site, undergo a meticulous carving and shaping process before being used to build this massive cathedral.

Bao Nham Church is 37 meters long and 14 meters wide, with the highest point on top of the bell tower reaching 28 meters. The entire church is very large, with a highlight being the lightning rod shaped like a rooster, made of antimony alloy and capable of rotating with the wind. In front of the church are two archways, topped with two intricately carved stone lions. The church roof also has 24 small towers on the ledge, 2.5 meters high and made of stone.

After its construction was completed, the Bao Nham stone church was assessed by French architects as having the best acoustic properties in Vietnam.

Bell tower at Bao Nham Church

The church's bell tower system includes three bronze bells weighing 800kg, 400kg, and 180kg respectively. These were also a gift from the sister of Father Adolphe Klinglé to the church after the construction was completed.

The top of the church bell tower.

The interior space of Bao Nham Parish Church

Stepping inside the cathedral, visitors will be captivated by its solemn and magnificent beauty, particularly the pointed, semi-circular domes. To create this roof system, each large stone block is meticulously carved and then assembled using modern techniques through multiple stages to form sturdy arches that still meet high artistic standards.

Another noteworthy feature is the stained-glass windows adorned with religious paintings depicting saints and apostles of Christianity, in vibrant colors that sparkle in the sunlight.

Discover the Bảo Nham rock formations, located near the stone church.

Not far from Bao Nham Stone Church, about 200 meters further, visitors will reach the Bao Nham rock formation area. This is a place associated with fairy tales and beliefs passed down from generation to generation by the local people.

The statue of an angel on top of Bao Nham rock formation.

Upon reaching the top of the rocky outcrop, visitors can admire the rich beauty of the rural houses in Yen Thanh district, Nghe An province.

To climb to the top of Bao Nham rock formation, you will have to overcome 171 winding S-shaped steps, resembling a majestic dragon stretching itself and clinging to the rock formation's grounds. This unique staircase system was designed and built by Father Peter Nguyen Van Hanh over three years (from 1947 to 1950).

The path leading down behind the rock formation also resembles a dragon's tail, with a total of 137 steps, designed and built by Father Peter Nguyen Van Duyet in 2000.

The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes inside a cave in the Bao Nham rock formation.

Reaching the 90th step, visitors will find a secret cave where a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes is located. Descending to the 69th step leads to a sacred garden with a pond and lush greenery. Here, visitors can relax and enjoy the fresh air of nature. Additionally, the area is decorated with many cute animal statues, resembling a miniature park.

Despite numerous historical events, Bao Nham Stone Church has retained its majestic appearance, grand architecture, and unique historical and religious value. If you have the opportunity to visit Nghe An, don't miss the interesting experiences here.

TH (according to VTC News)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/muc-so-thi-nha-tho-da-hon-tram-nam-tuoi-o-nghe-an-391079.html