Sa Pa Stone Church — Attraction in Sa Pa Ward

Sa Pa church is located on a prime location with behind is Ham Rong mountain shielding, in front is a large, flat land, can develop many cultural works for social activities. In particular, the church in the central position of Sapa town, standing on all four sides can observe the monument, along with two other architectural works also built by the French as the Cau Cau villa (now Hoang Lien Hotel and the former Party Committee (now the headquarters of Lao Cai Tourist Information Center) form a balanced triangle with a distinct French-style architecture. The shape and architecture of the church is built in the form of a cross in Roman Gotic architecture. That architecture shows the roof, the bell tower, the arched dome ... are pyramids that make the project soothing. The whole church was built with hewn stone (walls, floor, bell tower, church yard, surrounding embankment) are linked together by a mixture of sand, lime and molasses. The right wing wall of the crucifix is ​​created like a flowing stone, adding to the natural beauty of the monument. Roofs with tiles and ceilings with straw lime (now refreshed). Especially the ceiling in the bell tower (near the bell) is a mixture of lime, straw, iron, not repaired once. With a total area of ​​the church campus of more than 6,000 m2, Sa Pa church has enough room for the layout of the area including: Church area, parish house, houses of monks, breeding houses, angelic houses , the front yard, the fence, the Holy Garden. The parish house is built in parallel with the church area, including 5 compartments: The closest to the bell tower is the parish's room, the space near the sanctuary is the room of the Bishop, the three middle compartments are the living room. The angel house includes: a basement, three upper floors are the place to cure sick people, overnight travelers, areas for corpses, sanitation works, kitchen ... The holy garden has two graves, 5 Golden Woodpeckers per hundred, of which 4 grow on stones. The church area consists of 7 compartments larger than 500 m2, 20 m high bell tower, 1.5 m high bell tower, cast in 1932, weighs 500 kg, echoes within a radius of nearly 1 km. Currently, on the surface of the bell is clearly recorded casting, the number of people donating money to ring the bell ... Part of the wooden rack of pomu bell remains the same after the restoration....

Sapa holds a significant piece of France’s colonial history from 1893 to 1954, during which the Stone Church, an enduring remnant of that era, stands tall. Among the few surviving structures are the Stone Church, Hoang Lien Hotel, and the Sapa Tourism Information Centre. Nestled at 1,500 meters above sea level and over 300 km from Hanoi, Sapa remained secluded and underdeveloped during French colonial rule, resulting in the absence of European architectural influences.

Initially used sparingly for religious worship, this church began services in 1935, paused during the Japanese occupation (1940-1945), and resumed until 1954. After a period of disuse, restoration efforts began in 1995, softening strict regulations and revitalizing the church for worship.

Inside, the church's interior is a vibrant contrast to its rugged exterior. White, yellow, and brown tones from varnished wood dominate the space. 32 stained glass windows, depicting biblical scenes, adorn the walls. Among regional churches, Sapa's Stone Church stands out, offering a unique experience.

What's fascinating is the congregation, primarily from the local minority ethnic groups, notably the Hmong. Situated in Sapa's main square, this church hosts diverse events, including the renowned Saturday night Love Markets.

Once a tradition for hill tribes to find partners from different villages, the Love Markets symbolize a bygone era. Though the practice has dwindled, visitors can still witness performances that once played a role in uniting young individuals from various communities.

The Stone Church, an emblem of Sapa's history, not only represents architectural heritage but also stands as a testimony to cultural traditions that have evolved over time.

📍 Notre Dame Cathedral 🚙 Hàm Rồng, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lào Cai 333100, Vietnam 📌 https://maps.app.goo.gl/M278LhJRB5RYSrRb7 ⏰ 6:00am - 9:00pm 🌎 https://nha-tho-da-sapa.business.site

#EldrickKoh #travel #holiday #SAPA #Vietnam...

I love the weather here, cool but not frozen. You must go here with a hot and sweet roasted chestnut package, there is nothing better than that. The light might not be ok, but it creates a peaceful atmosphere. You should take a group picture here, as the background is memorable. There a square in front of the church, so this is a good place to play and visit. Parking might be a little bit troublesome as you have to park your car and may be bike in the parking area near the church. The church's location is in the center of Sapa, so you have no reason to not visit here and enjoy the center especially at night.

Standing in the shadow of the Notre Dame Cathedral here in Sapa, I can't help but feel a strange mix of cultures. The crisp mountain air and the buzz of motorbike engines feel a world away from the grand cathedrals of Europe, yet here it is, a beautiful piece of French architecture nestled amongst rice terraces.

It's not the most ornate cathedral I've seen, but the simple, clean lines and weathered grey stone have a certain charm. There's a calmness to it that feels out of place with the usual bustling tourist spots. Maybe it's because it's still an active church, a place of worship for the local Hmong people as much as a stop for curious travelers like myself.

This morning, I peeked inside for a moment and was struck by the sight of sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the worn pews. It was a beautiful, unexpected moment of peace in the midst of my travels. Even though I couldn't stay long, I left feeling strangely centered, like this little stone church holds a quiet power in this...