Phat Diem Stone Cathedral located in Ninh Binh wears a very unique architecture that attracts many foreigners to visit every year.
Why is Phat Diem Cathedral said to be unique? It’s because of a harmony between European and Asian art which created this famous church in Ninh Binh. It was built by almost stones during 24 years from 1875 to 1899. This place is also known asthe center for Catholicism in northern Vietnam.
While you’re getting lost in the wonders of best places such as Tam Coc, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Trang An, Am Tien Cave, Bai Dinh Pagoda, ,…in Ninh Binh don’t miss experiences in exploring special architectures of Phat Diem Stone Cathedral Ninh Binh.
>>> For more fascinating in Ninh Binh, check TOP Best Things to do and See in Ninh Binh
Where is the Phat Diem Stone Cathedral
- Address: Phat Diem Town, Kim Son District, Ninh Binh Province
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Dress Code: Polite apparel is required
- Get Directions on Google Map
Phat Diem Cathedral is located in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district of Ninh Ninh province, is about 120 km from Hanoi to the south. This is an oriental complexcomprising a lake, a cathedral, a stone church, Phuong Dinh (bell house) and three artificial grottoes with total acreage of 22 hectares.
You can get there by motorbike from Ninh Ninh center, it takes about 1 hour. Or by Local bus from Ninh Binh Station, the ticket roundy 20.000VND. It’s free for entrance Fee Ticket to get inside and visit
What to see in Phat Diem Cathedral
Take a sightseeing of Phat Diem Cathedral, firstly you will catch a square lake with 1 hectare in width. The lake looks similar as other lakes or ponds near temples in Vietnam hometown.
In the middle of the lake, there is a small island with statue of Jesus Christ.
Next, it’s is Phuong Dinh which becomes an eye-catching monument with majestic stone carvings on both sides of the walls. It is 25 m high, 17m wide and 24m long. Phuong Dinh means a square house
On the walls of Phuong Dinh there are bas-reliefs telling about Jesus’ story. The carved motifs are light and flowing and skillful that make visitor feel gentle although they are surrounded by big cubic of stones.
As you leave Phuong Dinh you will see a great Cathedral which was built in 1891 for 3 months. The cathedral is 74 meters long, 21 meters wide and 16 meters high with four roofs. It was built of six rows of ironwood. Within the cathedral are four small churches of different styles.
Next to the great cathedral is a stone church with formed name “Nha Tho Trai tim Vo Nhiem Nguyen Toi Duc Me”. But now people typically refer to it as “Stone church”. Because from its walls, columns, earth, pubs to tie beams are made of stone. The interior of the church has many sophisticatedly carved reliefs, with chrysanthemums, bamboo, fir tree and apricot tree that symbolize four seasons annually.
Special meaning inside Phat Diem Cathedral
- It’s a tasteful combination of Western architecture and Vietnamese religious buildings.
- As the Western architecture, they built a concentration of architecture of all things which are included in a great cathedral. It shows the tendency “rising up to Gothic”, expresses the aspirations to compete with the creator to rise up itself. So all of buildings must be standed out above the scenery of nature.
- Meanwhile the Oriental architecture is spreading, dispersing and not rising up, it shows good intentions in harmony with nature and makes life soothing
The complex of Phat Diem cathedral was asserted based on many famous art forms in Vietnam in the 19th century: architecture, construction, stone carvings, wood carvings, being red-lacquer trimmed with gold
This is a Vietnamese-style church with oriental and national styles from small details in sculpture to the overall architecture and individual houses. The art of the stone and wood sculpturen in Phat Diem cathedral are close to the Vietnamese and only the Vietnamese artisans are able to do that great things.
Over more than 100 years, Phat Diem Cathedarl is still intact and will remain forever. January 18, 1988 Phat Diem Cathedral was recognized by the Ministry of Culture as historical and cutural relic in Viet Nam.
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