Cock Cathedral in Dalat, Vietnam

Dalat Cathedral (Official name is St. Nicholas Cathedral. Common name is Cock Cathedral) is one of the most famous cathedrals in Vietnam. The cathedral is located on Tran Phu Street, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province.

The history of Dalat Cathedral connected closely to the history taking form and developing of Dalat City. In 1893, Doctor Alexandre Yersin and Priest Robert discovered Dalat City. In 1917, Nicolas Couveur came to Dalat to look for a place so that missionaries relax. In late April 1920, Priest decided to form Dalat Diocese. Dalat Cathedral was built the first time in 1920 and the second time in 1922. The architecture of the cathedral of those two times is simple. Dalat Cathedral existing now was built for through 11 years – from 1931 to 1942 according to building plan of Priest  Céleste Nicolas – Vicar at that time. The Cathedral is one of the most ancient structures built in Dalat by French. It is designed according to Europe Roman style.

The ground has cross shape with the length of 65m, the width of 14m. the height of the bell tower has the height of 47m. With that height, from the bell tower, people can see everywhere in the city. The front of the cathedral is forward a mountain named Langbian. The outside of the cathedral is always painted pink color making the cathedral become bright when the sun shines. The doors and the windows have half moon shape. On the top of the cross, there is a statue made of metal with the length 0,66m and the height of 0,58m. It can turn according to the windward. Because of having the statue of the cock, Dalat Cathedral has a common name – Cock Cathedral.

There are some ways of explaining the symbol of the cock in structures of Catholicism, but we like this way. Cocks have habit crowing a lot before early morning. People can say they signify the dawn. Jesus Christ was born into the world so that bring light to human beings. His teaching words are the lodestar of our lives, bringing us to happy places. There was a statue made of mud brick in the first century describing the sight that Mother Mary was holding Jesus Christ, introducing to friends, and the above was a cock slapping its wings crowing, and under the feet of Mother, there was also a cock standing nearby.

The inside of Cock Cathedral has 3 departments: 1 large department in the middle, 2 small departments on the 2 sides. The ceiling is a dome decorated with 70 pieces of the colored class making the cathedral more magical. The wall is a brick player having the thickness of 40cm. On the wall, there are carvings with the length of 1m and the width of 0,8m carved skillfully. The Tops of pillars are carved according to classic and freestyles.

Cock Cathedral in Dalat is a domestic and foreign tourist attraction, especially on Christmas occasion. The cathedral is put into the list of 10 famous Cathedrals in Vietnam. If having a chance to travel to Dalat, you should spend the time visiting this special temple to get watch European classical architecture style and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere here.

Cock Cathedral in Dalat

Cock Cathedral in Dalat

Cock Cathedral in Dalat

Cock Cathedral in Dalat

Cock Cathedral in Dalat

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