Da Nang Cathedral

When mentioning Da Nang, tourists often think of long beaches, the fire-breathing Dragon Bridge or Ba Na Hills. However, few people know that this city also owns a unique architectural work, with ancient beauty and outstanding colors: Da Nang Cathedral, also known as the chicken church. This is not only an important religious site but also a tourist attraction because of its impressive European Gothic architecture and gentle pink color.

This article will provide you with detailed information about Da Nang Cathedral, helping you better understand its history, architecture, meaning and things to note when visiting, to make your trip more complete.

Overview of Da Nang Cathedral

Da Nang Cathedral is the church of the Diocese of Da Nang, located at 156 Tran Phu Street, Hai Chau I Ward, Hai Chau District, right in the city center. This location is very convenient for visitors to visit and travel from other destinations such as Han Market or Han River.

Da Nang Cathedral is also known as the Chicken Church. This name comes from the gray hollow alloy chicken symbol, placed on top of the church’s bell tower. This chicken is not only an object that determines the wind direction but also has a deep religious meaning, associated with the story of Saint Peter’s repentance in the Bible, reminding people of awakening and repentance.

History of the Church

Da Nang Cathedral began construction in February 1923, under the direction of Father Louis Vallet, and was completed in 1924. Initially, the church was called Tourane Church (the old name of Da Nang during the French colonial period). Nearly a century old, Con Ga Church has witnessed many historical changes in the city and still stands as a symbol of resilience and faith.

Throughout its existence, the church has not only been a place for religious activities but also the center of many community activities, contributing to the development of culture, education and charity in the locality. To this day, the church still retains its original architecture and is one of the must-see attractions when visiting Da Nang.

Unique Architecture of Da Nang Cathedral

Danang Cathedral stands out with its characteristic European Gothic architectural style. The overall structure has a majestic, ancient yet elegant look.

Gothic Color and Architecture

The first highlight when looking at the Rooster Church is the pastel pink color covering the entire architecture. This color not only creates a unique beauty but also helps the church stand out in the urban space, easily recognized from afar.

The church has a main bell tower up to 70m high, along with 10 small towers around, creating balance and harmony. Large arched windows, high pillars and sophisticated decorative details are all typical Gothic architectural features.

Interior and special details

Gothic architectural features are clearly shown through high arches and elaborate decorative details. Inside the church, the space is spacious and solemn. The colorful stained glass windows depicting events in the Bible, when the sunlight shines in, create a shimmering, magical space. The rows of glossy black wooden benches are neatly arranged, contributing to a solemn and quiet atmosphere.

The main altar is made of white marble with meticulous patterns, showing respect. Behind the altar is a large painting depicting the scene of Jesus being crucified, bringing a touching and sacred feeling.

In addition, behind the church there is a grotto of the Virgin Mary, built according to the model of the grotto of Lourdes in France. This area is surrounded by green trees, gently flowing water, creating a peaceful, pure space, attracting many visitors to worship and take pictures.

Rooster symbol on the top of the tower

Visitors to the Rooster Church will certainly be impressed by the gray rooster on the roof of the church. The rooster is made of alloy so it is quite light, the outside is covered with an extremely beautiful coating.

The rooster symbol is located on the lightning rod above, so it is designed to rotate in the direction of the wind to avoid breaking. That is why the rooster is used as an object to determine the direction of the wind. The meaning of the rooster on the roof of the church is also very special. According to the Bible, the rooster is a symbol of awakening and repentance.

Activities and experiences at Da Nang Cathedral

The Rooster Church is not only a place to admire the architecture but also a destination to learn about culture, religion and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Architectural sightseeing and photography

With its unique architecture and outstanding colors, the Rooster Church is one of the favorite photography locations for many tourists. You can find many beautiful angles to take pictures.

Attending mass

For those who want to learn more about the spiritual life here, attending mass is a worthwhile experience. The church has a daily mass schedule and special mass on weekends.

Weekdays: Masses usually take place at 5:00 and 17:00 (or 5:30 and 17:30 depending on the time).
Sundays: There are more masses, usually at 5:15, 8:00, 10:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 18:30. In particular, the 10am Sunday Mass is often held in English, creating conditions for international visitors to attend.

Note: When attending Mass, visitors should wear polite and discreet clothing to show respect for the place of worship. Avoid making noise, using phones or taking photos or videos during the Mass.

Explore the peaceful space

Although located in the middle of a bustling downtown area, Da Nang Cathedral still offers a rare quiet and peaceful space. This is an ideal place to temporarily put aside the hustle and bustle of life, stroll around the campus, contemplate and find peace of mind.

Community activities

The church is also the place where many community activities take place, especially on major holidays such as Christmas and Easter. At these times, the entire church grounds are splendidly decorated with lights, flowers, and Christmas grottos, creating a brilliant festive atmosphere, attracting many people and tourists to visit and take photos.

Information to know when visiting

Opening hours: The church is usually open to visitors in the morning from 8:00 to 11:30 and in the afternoon from 13:30 to 16:30. You should check for updated information before coming, especially on major holidays
Ticket price: Visiting Da Nang Cathedral is completely free
Dress: You should wear polite and discreet clothes when entering the church grounds, especially when attending mass
Keep order: Keep quiet, do not make noise, do not litter in the church grounds

Explore tourist destinations near Da Nang Cathedral

One of the biggest advantages of Da Nang Cathedral is its prime location, right in the city center. From the cathedral, visitors can easily travel to many other famous places. This helps visitors optimize their schedule and save travel time.

Han Market

Less than a 5-minute walk from Da Nang Cathedral, Han Market is one of the oldest and busiest traditional markets in Da Nang. Here, visitors can find everything from local specialties. This is an ideal place to explore culinary culture and buy gifts for relatives and friends.

Cham Museum

If you are a history and culture lover, the Cham Museum is a destination not to be missed. Located about 10 minutes walk from Da Nang Cathedral, the museum displays the richest and most valuable collection of Cham artifacts in Vietnam. Coming here, you will admire the exquisite sculptures and learn about the glorious Champa civilization.

Dragon Bridge

Designed and built in the style of a dragon rising out to sea, the Dragon Bridge has become an impressive new symbol of Da Nang. Especially, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, visitors will experience the difficulty of the dragon’s extremely unique fire and water spraying process.

Da Nang Cathedral is not only a beautiful architectural work but also a part of Da Nang, carrying unique historical and cultural stories. Hopefully with the detailed information above, you will have a meaningful and memorable trip when visiting this place.

Da Nang city, Travel Guide