Nha Trang Mountain Church is located on a small hill next to the intersection of the coastal city, this is a place that attracts many tourists. The official name is Christ the King Cathedral, but is referred to by local people with simple and familiar names such as Mountain Church, Stone Church, etc.
Nha Trang Mountain Church began construction on September 3, 1928 and was completed in May 1933.
The beauty of Nha Trang Mountain Church with Gothic architecture
The characteristic Gothic architecture makes any building magnificent and sparkling, no different from European architecture with 3 distinct parts: the bottom part is the door, the middle part is a large round window made of stained glass decorated with roses, the top part is the corridor and two bell towers.
The unique feature of Nha Trang Stone Church is the set of bronze bells hanging on the bell tower. These bells were manufactured and supplied by the famous French bell company Bourdon Carillond.
During a visit in February 1933, King Bao Dai visited the project while it was still under construction. At that time, a set of bronze bells cast in France were temporarily hung on the wooden tower.
The first bell with the E-flat tone was blessed by the church on July 29, 1934, the remaining two bells with the C and A tones were blessed in 1939. On the bell tower there is also a large clock with 4 faces facing 4 directions.
The most prominent feature of the Mountain Church is the Sanctuary. Passing through the Front Gate, we will encounter a vast, open space filled with light. The most prominent feature of the Gothic architecture here is the curved, wide arches facing the sky.
The high and wide dome, the light shining through the glass windows makes the church shine, stand out and more airy. The architecture is completely made of stone, making the church more solemn and ancient.
The decorative motifs use straight lines, arranged harmoniously, creating a simple yet solemn beauty. Fourteen lines of music (the passion of Jesus) are simulated by paintings hanging on the wall.
The sanctuary is an open space, the stained glass paintings of Saints here create a brilliant and luxurious beauty.
Tourists to Nha Trang seem to be quite excited about this new check-in location. On personal accounts, photos taken in front of the Mountain Church are shared by many young people with a variety of camera angles.
History of the formation of Nha Trang Mountain Church
Around 1885, Nha Trang consisted of only a few fishing villages scattered at the mouth of the Cai River and along the coast. At that time, the parishioners numbered about three hundred people and lived concentrated in Cho Moi Parish (Ngoc Hoi).
In 1886, when the French established the colonial government in Nha Trang, it created conditions for two important scientific research projects to be built: the Pasteur Institute (1895) and the Institute of Oceanography (1923).
Fishermen gathered to live near the Pasteur Institute to receive health care. In 1924, following a decree from the Governor-General of Indochina, King Khai Dinh issued an edict establishing the town of Nha Trang.
To meet the religious needs of parishioners and some French officials living in the area, a small chapel was temporarily built on the coast of Nha Trang (now Nha Trang Bishop's Palace, 22 Tran Phu), under the jurisdiction of Cho Moi Parish.
With the compassionate heart of a shepherd, the French priest Louis Vallet (1869-1945) who was taking care of the parishioners of Cho Moi at that time immediately thought of establishing a parish in Nha Trang, and the first thing to do was to build a spacious church.
The church is located on the top of Hoang Lan hill, at the intersection of Nguyen Trai street and Thai Nguyen street (6-way intersection). Construction began on September 3, 1928 and was completed in May 1933.
Construction process of Nha Trang Mountain Church
The area of the mountain where the church is built is 4,500m2, the area of the Church is 720m2, the area of the parish house is 312.84m2, the height of the Church yard compared to the city level is 8m, the height of the Church from the foundation to the top of the tower is 28m.
The entire construction project was carried out by Father Louis Vallet himself, under the technical advice of French architect Nesty and with the collaboration of Mr. Bien Te (father of Father Louis Le Van Sinh) as contractor, who belonged to Cho Moi Parish.
On September 3, 1928, the church construction project began on a small mountain called Bong Mountain.
On Easter Day 1929, the road leading up the mountain was opened. By June 1929, a shortcut up the mountain for pedestrians, consisting of 53 steps, located to the North (Thai Nguyen Street) was completed.
On September 8, 1929, the ancillary buildings: kitchen, servants' quarters, warehouse, stairs, main road going up... were put into use.
By March 1930, the parish house area was completed. Construction of the main church building continued.
On February 12, 1933, King Bao Dai visited the church construction site.
On May 14, 1933, the feast of Saint Joan of Arc, the church was solemnly inaugurated. Father Louis Vallet chose Christ the King as the Church's Patron Saint.
On August 15, 1933, the stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary.
On March 17, 1934, all stained glass in the church was installed.
On July 29, 1934, Apostolic Nuncio Dreyer blessed the bell and named it Thérèse of the Child Jesus, donated by Mrs. Do Huu Tri, Saigon.
Construction started on April 1, 1935 and the bell tower was completed on August 1, 1935.
On December 3, 1935, the clock on the bell tower was installed and inaugurated.
On October 22, 1939, Father Louis Vallet was authorized by the Church to bless two bells that he himself donated. One was dedicated to the Martyr Saint Cuénot The and the other was dedicated to the Martyrs of Vietnam.
From May to December 1941, paved the main road leading to the church.
The total cost of building the Church, not including the work of Father Louis Vallet and the contractor working with him, was 30,000 VND.
Things to note when visiting Nha Trang Mountain Church
Address: 31a Thai Nguyen, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa
Admission is completely free.
Church Opening Hours
Weekdays: 5:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Sunday: 5:00 to 7:00, 11:00 to 16:30.
Ceremony Time
Weekdays: 4:45 am, 5:00 pm
Sunday: 5:00, 7:00, 9:30, 16:30, 18:30.
Nha Trang Mountain Church has been around for over 80 years. From afar, it looks like an ancient Roman castle. Standing firmly on a mountain top, with its ash-gray coat, this structure is still sturdy and defiant against rain, sun, wind and frost.
For the parishioners in Nha Trang, the Mountain Church holds a very important position. They come here to pray for God's grace.
Besides, many couples also choose this place to hold their wedding, certifying the sublimation and fruition of love. This is also a favorite address of tourists when coming to Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa.
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