Phat Diem Cathedral is known as the "Catholic capital of Vietnam" and is considered the most beautiful church in Vietnam, located in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province.

This architectural work was built from 1875 to 1899 under the leadership of priest Peter Tran Luc (Mr. Sau, 1825-1899, from Nga Son, Thanh Hoa). He was the parish priest of Phat Diem from 1865.

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Phat Diem Cathedral complex seen from above. Photo: TN

The unique feature of the church is that it is built entirely of stone and ironwood according to ancient Vietnamese architecture, based on the style of communal houses, temples, and pagodas, and is a combination of Eastern and Western styles with many decorative patterns with their own characteristics and meanings.

The structure of Phat Diem stone church includes 1 large church (cathedral), 5 small churches (Saint Rocco church, Saint Joseph church, Saint Peter church...), courtyard (bell tower), lake and 3 artificial caves...

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The pavilion was completed in 1899. Photo: TN

Hundreds of ironwood pillars were brought from Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Son Tay, while stones were taken from Thien Duong mountain, Ninh Van commune, Hoa Lu district (now Hoa Lu city). Another line of precious stones was taken from Nhoi mountain (Thanh Hoa).

Lim trees 12m long, 2.4m in diameter, weighing 7 tons, and stone slabs weighing up to 20 tons were transported by primitive means in the late 19th century.

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The cathedral, 74m long, was inaugurated in 1891. Photo: TN
The ancient stone architecture is unique and attractive to tourists. Photo: TN

Phuong Dinh is one of the unique structures here, 25m high, 17m wide, 24m long, consisting of 3 floors built of slate. The bottom floor is built of green stone. The stone arches are exquisitely assembled...

The second floor of the pavilion hangs a large drum. The third floor hangs a bell 1.4m high, 1.1m in diameter, weighing nearly 2,000kg and cast in 1890.

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A building in the Phat Diem Cathedral complex. Photo: TN
Every day, many tourists from all over the country come to visit. Photo: TN

The cathedral was inaugurated in 1891, 74m long, 21m wide, 15m high, with 4 roofs and 5 entrances. Inside the church there are 6 rows of monolithic ironwood columns (48 columns), the two middle rows of columns are up to 11m high, 2.35m in diameter, each column weighs about 10 tons...

On both sides of the main church are four small churches with harmonious architecture, each church has its own characteristics.

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Inside the stone church. Photo: TN

The special thing here is the stone church built in 1883. This is the first church built in this complex, 15.3m long, 8.5m wide, 6m high. The reason it is called the stone church is because everything here is made of stone.

Inside are carved many reliefs such as pine, chrysanthemum, bamboo, and apricot symbolizing the weather and beauty of the four seasons of the year.

Currently, about 1,500 square meters of tiles from the cathedral are being removed to be replaced with new, lighter, more suitable traditional tiles to replace the old tiles that are heavier, smoother, and cracked, causing leaks.

The reliefs and decorations on the green stone background are very impressive. Photo: TN
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Currently, the cathedral is having its tiles replaced. Photo: TN

After nearly 130 years of existence, despite being affected by natural disasters and wars, the church still stands tall and is preserved almost intact.

Famous beautiful churches in Nam Dinh are brilliant before Christmas Eve . Nam Dinh is a land with many Catholics. These days, the churches here are brilliantly decorated to welcome Christmas.