Phat Diem Cathedral

Phat Diem Cathedral is 130 kilometers south of Hanoi. A priest named Tran Luc built it between 1875 and 1899.

The Phat Diem Cathedral site encloses many Chapels built in oriental style: A lake called Phuong Dinh and the Cathedral. The Cathedral is surrounded by four Chapels, three artificial grottos and a stone Shine.

On a tiny islet in the middle of the rectangular lake reigns a tall white statue of Christ the King.

Phuong Dinh is an imposing stone structure 24 netters long 17 metres wide and 25 metres high. Stone low relief are to be seen inside as well as outside. On its top are hanging a big drum and a big bell weighing about two tons.

The Cathedral built in 1891, is 74 metres long and 21 metres wide, it has four roofs resting on six ranks of ironwood pillars. Discover beauty of 18-century architecture of Phat Diem Cathedral with Vietnam travel. The two middle ranks have 16 pillars, each eleven metres high, 2.35m in circumference. Each of them is the trunk of a single tree. The high altar was cut in a single block of stone (3 metres long, 90 centimeters large and 80 centimeters high) and carved on its three sides. The back of the high altar is made of chiseled woodworks lacquered and gilt.

On both sides of the Cathedral four Chapels mount the guard of honour, each on has a different style. At the far end rise three stone grottos, the most beautiful of them is that of our Lady of Lourdes, Finally, on the North-West corner of the site rises the jewel of the whole complex: its is popularly called the Stone Chapel because all its parts are made of stone: walls, columns, beams, Windows and towers.