Description of the attraction
Notre Dame Cathedral is called the hallmark of Ho Chi Minh City and a piece of Paris in Asia and the main architectural landmark of the city. It is located in the quiet center, opposite the central post office.
The construction of the cathedral began almost immediately after the start of the French colonization of Indochina. The colonial administration sought to build a masterpiece capable of overshadowing Buddhist temples and striking dissenting local populations. The project of the architect J. Boer made it possible to harmoniously fit a copy of the famous French Notre Dame de Paris into the style of the South Asian city. All building materials, including stained glass windows, red Marseille bricks and two forty-meter bell towers, were brought from France. The cathedral was also erected by French builders. The quality of materials and work is evidenced by the fact that in a humid climate the brickwork not only survived, but did not even change color.
It is believed that the cathedral took six years to build. But it is historically confirmed that the first stone for the construction was laid by Bishop Lafebvre in March 1863. If we consider this as the date of the beginning of construction, then the construction of the temple lasted 17 years. It was originally called the Cathedral of the Saigon Mother of God. In 1959, the then bishop gave it the name Notre Dame. In 1962, the temple was anointed by the Pope as Saigon's main cathedral.
The height of the bell towers of the cathedral with domes exceeds 60 meters. In front of the temple there is a four-meter sculpture of the Virgin Mary with a small globe in her hands. There is a box at her feet where you can put your prayers. In 2005, the statue began to stream myrrh and turned into a place of religious pilgrimage.
The modest interior of the outwardly majestic cathedral is decorated with a white marble altar and carved figures of angels. Lighting gives a special atmosphere. Stained glass from Chartres, brought in in the 19th century, makes the sunlight look fabulous. Six bronze bells were brought in and installed in 1895. Each of them alternately rings in the morning and evening on weekdays, three bells ring on weekends, and all six - only on Catholic Christmas.
It is a very soulful place, as well as photogenic, loved by honeymooners and tourists.
