Experience European and American architectural styles at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Guangzhou
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a very typical example of Gothic architecture, characterized by its towering spires. In its design, it utilizes cross vaults, flying buttresses, slender columns, and a new framework structure to increase the support for the top, giving the entire building a vertical line, a majestic appearance, and a vast space inside the church. Combined with the long windows inlaid with colored glass, it creates a strong religious atmosphere within the church.
Such Gothic cathedral architecture of this scale is relatively rare in China, while internationally famous churches of the same type include the Milan Cathedral, Cologne Cathedral in Germany, and the damaged Notre-Dame de Paris, among others. In the culture of the European Middle Ages, Christianity's influence was dominant, shaping the social lifestyle and ideological consciousness of the time, and art inevitably bore a strong religious hue, serving as a spokesperson for God and the church.
The twin-towered facade of the Sacred Heart Cathedral features a pair of soaring pointed stone towers, symbolizing ascension to heaven and conversion to God; the spire on the bell tower of the facade is characteristic of Gothic church architecture and also represents the charm of architectural modeling. The spires are hollow octagonal cones made of stone, with three floors of buildings below them. The spires become steeper as they rise, eventually piercing the sky like the tip of a cone. In typical Gothic architecture, stone columns are generally called clustered columns, giving the impression that a bundle of columns is tied together. From the outside, the stone columns of the cathedral seem to differ from ordinary clustered columns, as each column here is made from whole blocks of granite, tightly joined with precise mortise and tenon joints, and the stones are bonded with tung oil and glutinous rice paste. The church's facade and east and west sides each have a nearly 7-meter diameter circular rose window. All doors and windows are inlaid with French-made deep red, yellow, blue, green, and other colored glass. This glass prevents strong outdoor light from entering, keeping the indoor light soft all year round, creating a kind and solemn religious atmosphere. This is one of the characteristics of Gothic churches.
Based on the characteristics of Gothic architecture, the Sacred Heart Cathedral also incorporates many Chinese elements. The entire church was built using Chinese traditional methods, with glutinous rice and tung oil instead of cement, which is both waterproof and sturdy. The dome stones are also chiseled with double holes and threaded with iron rods for added strength. The water outlets on the church roof are also made in the shape of Chinese lions, the floor was changed from the originally designed stone to Guangdong large step bricks for better moisture resistance, and the doors are carved with Guangzhou-style wood carvings.
Navigate to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Guangzhou
Closed on Mondays, so don't make a wasted trip. It is recommended to wear long pants and long sleeves to avoid being denied entry.
Came on June 29, 2013. The Sacred Heart Cathedral was built in 1863 and is an earlier church in China. Now you can see the cornerstones of "Jerusalem 1863" and "Roma 1863" engraved respectively. The church is a lobby in the Guangzhou area, all walls and pillars are made of granite, so it is also known as the "Stone Chamber Catholic Church". It is a typical Gothic building and has a beautiful appearance. The church is located in a square in front of the old ministry. Although there is a fence, you can usually visit it; even if there is no religious activity, you have the opportunity to enter the building to visit. It is close to the subway Yide Road station and the traffic is very convenient.
The Sacred Heart Cathedral of the Stone Room is located on Yide Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. It took 25 years to build and is the most magnificent and distinctive cathedral in the Catholic Diocese of Guangzhou. The Sacred Heart Cathedral of the Stone Room was designed by French designers and built by Chinese craftsmen. Stone Studio Sacred Heart Cathedral is the largest church in the Catholic Diocese of Guangzhou, one of the most magnificent twin minarets in the country, and one of the four all-stone Gothic church buildings in the world (the other three are Notre Dame, Westminster Abbey, Cologne Cathedral), Since all the walls and pillars of the church are made of granite rock, it is also called the "Stone Room" or "Stone Room Jesus Sacred Heart Church" and "Stone Room Catholic Church". It has recently been closed and it is recommended to arrange a time to visit.
The Sacred Heart Cathedral of the Stone Room is located on Yide Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. The Sacred Heart Cathedral was officially held on June 18, 1863, the day of the Sacred Heart Visitor. Built in 25 years, it is the most magnificent and characteristic cathedral in the Catholic Diocese of Guangzhou. The stone chamber Sacred Heart Cathedral was designed by French designers and built by Chinese craftsmen. The total area of the Sacred Heart Cathedral of the Stone Chamber is 2754 square meters, 35 meters wide from east to west,78.69 meters long from the north to the south, and58.5 meters high from the ground to the spire. The Sacred Heart Cathedral of the Stone Chamber cost 400,000 francs to build in 1861, which can be comparable to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, France. Stone Studio Sacred Heart Cathedral is the largest church in the Catholic Diocese of Guangzhou, one of the most magnificent twin minarets in the country, and one of the four all-stone Gothic church buildings in the world (the other three are Notre Dame, Westminster Abbey, Cologne Cathedral), Since all the walls and pillars of the church are made of granite rock, it is also called the "Stone Chamber" or "Stone Chamber Jesus Sacred Heart Church" and "Stone Chamber Catholic Church".
Go here to check whether it is open. It is not open to the outside world on Monday, and epidemic prevention and control is not open. It is worth visiting.
It is worth a visit, a must-see for Catholics to purify their hearts.