Located on Phuoc Qua hill (Phuoc Vinh ward), Phu Cam Cathedral is an old, yet famous structure designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu. Phu Cam Cathedral is located at 01 Doan Huu Trung, Phuoc Vinh ward, Hue city.
In 1682, under the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan, priest Langlois constructed a simple bamboo chapel called Phu Cam at Da hamlet, by the Phu Cam river. Two years later, the priest bought a plot of land on Phuoc Qua hill and had the chapel demolished. A large stone cathedral facing the west was built in replacement. This architecture was admired by Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan. As religion was banned under the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu, this structure was demolished in 1698.
In 1898, priest Eugène Marie Allys had the Cathedral rebuilt. This time, the structure was quite bigger, made of brick and roofed by tile. It faces the north, Hue flag tower. The priest designed and directly monitored the construction process. It was not until 1902 that the cathedral was completed. Bishop Eugène Marie Allys moved the Episcopal See from Kim Long to Phu Cam. The architecture constructed in Phu Cam was selected as the cathedral.
After Hue Diocese was upgraded as Archdiocese in 1960, Peter Martin Ngo Dinh Thuc was appointed as the archbishop in Hue. Phu Cam Cathedral was demolished, making room for the new architecture designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu. After Nguyen Dinh Diem's regime fall, the construction was slow down. At the time, archbishop Ngo Dinh Thuc was in Rome and could not return to Vietnam. In 1967, only a part of the sanctuary was completed. The cathedral was not only damaged in 1968 general uprising, but also affected by later incidents. In 1995, the body part of the cathedral was basically completed. On Hue Archdiocese's establishment day (May 2000), the entire cathedral was completed as urged by archbishop Stephano Nguyen Nhu The. Overall, Phu Cam Cathedral was constructed in nearly 40 years, under the management of three archbishops Ngo Dinh Thuc, Nguyen Kim Dien and Nguyen Nhu The.
Inside Phu Cam Cathedral (photo: internet)
In general, Phu Cam Cathedral blends in the surrounding landscape. The cathedral was located in a large campus and Christ Jesus statue. The Cathedral was a cross-shaped structure. There are two seven-story bell towers which are 43,5m high. The statue of Saint Peter and Saint Paul were respectively placed on the right and on the left of the cathedral. In particular, there is a system of main doors and sided doors designed as the Noon Gate of Hue Imperial city.
The Cathedral showed modern construction techniques and western classical decoration. The Cathedral was big enough for 2.500 religious followers. Lines of colorful glass on the upper part of the cathedral left a good impression and provide natural light. Inside the sanctuary, the ceiling frame is curved and 21,5m high. There is a staircase which represent for heaven, earth and human leading to the round sanctuary. Next comes a smaller round where locates a marble altar.
There are a pine tree which serves as the cross, a Jesus Christ Crucified on the cross, a painting featuring Christ Jesus stretching out his hand with the word blessed be God for ever. Inside the cathedral locates the tomb of late archbishop Philippe Nguyen Kim Dien to the left and the altar of missionary Tong Viet Buong, a Phu Cam native who passed away in 1833 to the right.
Phu Cam is a large cathedral highly appreciated in history as well in Hue Archdiocese.
(Source: Geography book - culture chapter - 2020)