Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Written by Tuyet NhungWednesday, 27 August 2008 08:32 - Last Updated Wednesday, 19 June 2013 02:23

Situated right in the heart of Hochiminh City is the most famous landmark as well as coreCathedral of the city, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral (translated as “Nhà thờ Đức Bà Sài Gòn). Notre-Dame Cathedral, or Notre-Dame Basilica to be exact, is a famous age-long cathedral inSouthern Vietnam. It is a magnificient building located at the paris Square in Hochiminh Citydowntown, attracting not only Catholics but also most tourists for its neo-Romanesque stylearchitecture and a sacred atmosphere.

Historical story

Established by French colonists, the cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. It hastwo bell towers, reaching a height of over 58 meters (190 feet). Following the French conquestof Cochinchina and Saigon, the Roman Catholic Church established a community and religiousservices for French colonialists.

The first church was built on Rue 5 (today's Ngo Duc Ke Street). This had been a Vietnamesepagoda, which had been abandoned during the war. Bishop Lefevre decided to make thispagoda a church. In 1959, Bishop Joseph Pham Van Thien, whose jurisdiction included Saigonparish, attended Holy Mother Congress held in Vatican and ordered a Peaceful Notre Damestatue made with granite in Rome. When the statue arrived in Saigon, on February 16th, 1959,

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Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Written by Tuyet NhungWednesday, 27 August 2008 08:32 - Last Updated Wednesday, 19 June 2013 02:23

Bishop Pham Van Thien held a ceremony to install the statue on the empty base and presentedthe title of "Regina Pacis". It was Bishop Pham Van Thien who wrote the prayers "Notre-Damebless the peace to Vietnam". On the following day, Cardinal Aganianian came from Rome tochair the closing ceremony of the Holy Mother Congress and solemnly chaired the ceremony forthe statue, thus the cathedral was then-on called Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Honored Basilica Status

The cathedral boasts its honored status as a Basilica consecrated tens of years ago. In 1960,the Vatican founded a Roman Catholic dioceses in Vietnam and assigned archbishops toHanoi, Huế and Saigon. Notre-Dame cathedral was titled Saigon Chief Cathedral. Yet, in1962, Vatican anointed the Saigon Chief Cathedral, conferred it basilique in honor of thetri-cenetary of the Bishopric of Saigon. Since then, this cathedral was called Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, which has enhanced its value and absorbed hundreds of thousands of catholics as well asinternational tourists to pay a visit.

The special architectural style

Apart from the religious meaning that attracts tourists, the even more special captivating point ofNotre-Dame Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. During itsconstruction, all its red bricks were imported from Marseilles and colored glass windows madein France’s Chartres Province, France. Tiles have been carved with the words Guichard Carvin,Marseille St André France(perhaps stating the locality where the tiles were produced). Some tiles were carved with thewords “Wang-Tai Saigon.” Many tiles have since been made in Saigon to replace the brokentiles caused by war. There are 56 glass squares supplied by the Lorin firm of Chartres provincein France. The cathedral foundation was designed to bear 10 times the weight of the cathedral.

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Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Written by Tuyet NhungWednesday, 27 August 2008 08:32 - Last Updated Wednesday, 19 June 2013 02:23

In front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary. On a whole, the neo-Romanesquearchitecture and two 58m-high square towers tipped with iron spires dominate the city’s sky line,creating a beautiful religious site!

Weekly Service Schedule

Full services in both Vietnamese and English are held every Sunday morning and are wellattended by Vietnamese and foreigners alike. Other services are held throughout the week.Hence, visitors who wish to attend mass should go on Sunday at 9.30a.m.

Set amidst the active and continuously moving Saigon, the Notre Dame Cathedral is considereda stop for seekers of old beauties and calmness as well as one of the most popular touristattractions in Ho Chi Minh city. For those who wish to ease their mind from stresses of daily lifeand immerse in tranquil atmosphere of religious buildings, touring this diversified city underreligious theme will give you the perfect chance to explore the religions, the architecture and thecultural meanings lying behind well-known religious places in Ho Chi Minh city such as  SaigonNotre Dame Cathedral(Catholic), Thien Hau Pagoda and Emperor Pagoda(Buddhism), Mariamman Hindu temple (Hindu)...

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Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Written by Tuyet NhungWednesday, 27 August 2008 08:32 - Last Updated Wednesday, 19 June 2013 02:23

More Tourist Attractions In Ho Chi Minh City:

- Ho Chi Minh City - ongoing dynamic & enchanting

- Cu Chi Tunnel in Hochiminh City

- Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

- Hochiminh city’s prominent Museums

- Dam Sen Park

- Chợ Lớn (Big Market)

- Shopping in Hochiminh City (HCMC)

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