In Ninh Binh there is an ancient tiled bridge, Phat Diem tiled bridge, where people can freely take photos and film.

The famous Phat Diem covered bridge

Phat Diem tile bridge (Phat Diem town, Kim Son district) is one of the ancient tile bridges with unique architecture that is still preserved and used today.

Clip: Close-up of Phat Diem covered bridge in Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province

Phat Diem covered bridge was built in 1902, the bridge has a rainbow shape, on both sides of the railing are rows of wooden bars arranged evenly along the bridge body.

Phat Diem covered bridge across An River has the most unique architecture in Vietnam. Photo: Vu Thuong

In particular, the tile-roofed bridge has a "house above, bridge below" structure consisting of two parts: the bridge below and the wooden structure-roof system above. The ground plan of the structure has a Nhat-shaped structure.

Phat Diem covered bridge is 31m long, 4.22m wide, divided into 12 spans, 15 trusses. The roof is covered with red tiles, inside is a system of rafters, batten, columns and trusses. When crossing the bridge, people and tourists will have a familiar feeling as if they are standing in a house of a Northerner.

The tiled bridge in Ninh Binh is more than a century old and is still in use. Photo: Vu Thuong

Mr. Pham Van Manh, a resident of Kim Son district, shared: "In the past, the bridge was built to facilitate parishioners living along the river to attend mass at Phat Diem Stone Church. Phat Diem covered bridge is a familiar image that has been associated with us, the people of Kim Son, for many generations."

The bridge is 31m long and more than 4m wide. Photo: Vu Thuong

Phat Diem tile bridge, a hundred years old, reflects the An river. Photo: Vu Thuong

It is known that this is also the longest tiled bridge compared to the tiled bridges in Nam Dinh, Quang Nam provinces, etc. Observation from Dan Viet, the weight of Phat Diem tiled bridge is supported by four large pillars placed on the An River.

The An River flowing through Phat Diem town is an irrigation project built over many years, and is the main river providing irrigation water for the fields of people in Kim Son district (Ninh Binh province).

Tourists come to take pictures

When first built, the pillars, beams, and rafters of the tile bridge were made entirely of wood, and the bridge floor was paved with large rectangular slabs of green stone. In 1987, when the entire beam and rafters were restored, they were replaced with iron and steel.

The system of trusses, columns, beams... at Phat Diem covered bridge. Photo: Vu Thuong

On both sides of the tiled bridge are stone steps. Photo: Vu Thuong

The path on the bridge is also paved with stones with many beautiful patterns. Photo: Vu Thuong

In addition, the bridge piers are made of reinforced concrete, the floor of Phat Diem tile bridge is made of concrete instead of slate. The two roofs covered with scale tiles are basically kept the same.

The unique Phat Diem covered bridge, which is over a century old in Ninh Binh, is attracting a large number of locals and tourists to come and admire, film, and take photos every day.

Tourists take selfies at Phat Diem covered bridge in Ninh Binh as souvenirs. Photo: NV

Tourist Tran Tam (from Thanh Hoa) said: "I was told about Ninh Binh, this place has many beautiful landscapes, very suitable for family and friends to visit and take selfies as souvenirs. Among them, I learned that in Kim Son district there is a complex of stone churches and Phat Diem tile bridge, two hundred-year-old structures with very unique architecture, distinct to Ninh Binh, so I decided to come here."

Through research, along with Thanh Toan tile bridge (Thua Thien Hue), Chua Luong tile bridge (Hai Anh commune, Hai Hau district, Nam Dinh province), Phat Diem tile bridge was also selected to be printed and issued on the 2012 tile bridge postage stamp set.

Mr. Do Van Thanh - Chairman of Phat Diem Town People's Committee said: Phat Diem covered bridge was ranked as a provincial architectural and artistic relic in 2018. This is considered a rare bridge and has the highest artistic value among the ancient bridges in Vietnam. Therefore, every day, many tourists and locals come here to take souvenir photos.

Source: https://danviet.vn/o-ninh-binh-co-mot-cai-cau-ngoi-phat-diem-doc-dao-nhat-o-viet-nam-tha-ho-chup-anh-quay-phim-2024080211012366.htm