Pha Diem Stone Church is a Catholic church complex spanning about 22 hectares, located in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province, about 120 km south of Hanoi. This is a unique architectural work, considered as the “Catholic Capital of Vietnam”. Pha Diem Stone Church was built from 1875 to 1899, presided over by Priest Peter Tran Luc, also known as old man Sau. Pha Diem Stone Church is a harmonious combination of traditional Vietnamese architecture and Western Gothic style, bearing the imprint of the art and belief of ancient Vietnamese people.
Pha Diem Stone Church consists of a large church and five small churches, a bell tower (bell tower), a pond, and three artificial stone caves. The large church at the central position is currently the cathedral of the Diocese of Phat Diem in Northern Vietnam, completed in 1891. The large church has the shape of a pagoda, with curved roofs, round columns, lotus pedestals, and crosses. The large church has four doors, the main door facing south, with two stone mosaic paintings depicting scenes from the Bible. Inside the large church is a stone altar, a Jesus statue made of ironwood, and some other saint statues.
Five small churches surround the large church, each church has a separate name and worships a different saint. Among them, the stone church is a unique work, built entirely of natural stone, in the shape of a pagoda, with tiled roofs, windows, columns, and decorations all made of stone. The stone church was built in 1898, worshiping the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Inside the stone church is a stone altar, a stone statue of the Virgin Mary, and some other stone saint statues.
The bell tower is a 25m high, 17m wide, 24m long architectural work, consisting of three floors, built of green stone. The bell tower was completed in 1899, serving as a bell tower and a place to organize festivals. On the four peaks of the tower are four statues of the four Evangelists, carved in stone very delicately. Inside the bell tower is a large bronze bell, weighing 1.5 tons, cast in 1890.
The pond is a rectangular water lake, about 4 hectares wide, surrounded by stone embankments, directly facing the road from Phat Diem town leading to the church. In the middle of the lake is a small island, on which is a stone statue of Jesus. The pond is a place where tourists can enjoy the scenery and take photos.
Three artificial stone caves are three works dug deep into the ground, in the shape of a cave, decorated with stone and wood. Three artificial stone caves were built in 1890, worshiping three saints: Saint Joseph, Saint Francis Xavier, and Saint Anthony. Inside each stone cave is a stone altar, a stone saint statue, and some wooden saint statues.
Pha Diem Stone Church is not only a historical, cultural, religious relic, but also an attractive tourist destination, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists. Here, visitors can not only admire the unique architectural works, but also learn about the heroic history, unique culture, and enjoy the delicious specialties of this land. Pha Diem Stone Church deserves to be an unmissable destination when traveling to Ninh Binh, to enjoy a meaningful and interesting trip.
