Tan Dinh Church in Ho Chi Minh City's District 3 is considered one of the country's most beautiful pieces of architecture. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Tan Dinh Church in Ho Chi Minh City has been named on the list of the top 10 "pink" global destinations compiled by CNN Traveler.
The US tourism website described Tan Dinh as one of the oldest churches in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the second largest after the iconic Saigon Notre Dame Basilica.
Considered to be among the country's most beautiful pieces of architecture, its construction was started in 1870 under the supervision of Father Donatien Éveillard and inaugurated on December 16, 1876.
The architectural work, which is designed in Romanesque style with Gothic and Renaissance elements (think decorated marble altars, high pink pillars, and stained glass windows) is entirely pink: On the outside, it’s a more salmon-like shade, while the inside is painted in a strawberries and cream hue, according to the magazine.
Pink paint and white decorative patterns make Tan Dinh Church stand out on the blue sky, creating a splendid and fresh look.
From the front, visitors can see the main tower and two auxiliary towers. At the top of the tower is the octagonal spire with a 3-m high copper cross. In the tower there are 5 bells with total weight of 5.5 tonnes. The two sides of the tower have lamp towers, many ventilation holes and patterns, creating a solid, very charming look. Two domed-corridors run along, with round windows decorated with exquisitely carved flowers and statues of angels.
The inside of the church is quite spacious with two rows of Gothic columns, leading to the main altar. Along with the facade, these two rows of columns are considered the most beautiful features in the whole architecture. The columns on the left are decorated with statues of female saints, while those on the right are adorned by statues of male saints. The altars in the church are made of precious stones brought in from Italy.
Situated besides a bustling street, the Tan Dinh Church looks very beautiful. Every late afternoon, when the bells of the church rattle, its pink bell tower stands out against the backdrop of white clouds in the sky, creating an exquisite and poetic image.
Tan Dinh Church has undergone many reparations and expansion on different occasion in various historical periods, but its original architecture has been kept intact.
In 1896, the church had two additions and a wall was built around the architecture.
In 1926, Tan Dinh Church was expanded. At the same time, a bell tower, which is 52.6m high, was built next to Hai Ba Trung Street.
On January 6, 1929, the church received three Italian marble altars worth 50,000 francs donated by a family.
In 1949, the frame was repaired, with rafters and purlines replaced with iron ones. In 1957, the church yard was covered with concrete.
In December 1976, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the construction, Tan Dinh Church was repainted, and its iron fences removed. At the same time, the floor of the sanctuary was elevated, paved with stones to match the columns around. The bell tower was also repaired and repainted on the occasion, as was the ceiling.
With its distinctive pink colour, the bell tower of Tan Dinh Church always stands out on the blue sky.
In July 1999 and September 2000, the church continued to be re-painted both inside and outside.
Tan Dinh Church boasts not only architectural values but also historical and cultural ones. Apart from a place of worship for parishioners, it is one of the most popular places in Ho Chi Minh City for visitors, and has been listed among the city’s prominent historical, cultural and tourist destinations./.
