Both Catholic churches are magnificent and luxurious.

In Ningbo, I saw two Catholic churches, one with a single tower and the other with two towers, both magnificent and luxurious.

It turns out that Ningbo was one of the first port cities to open to foreign trade during the late Qing Dynasty, and it became one of the first places to be evangelized by Christians. The influx of foreign missionaries and merchants facilitated the spread of Catholicism, which gradually developed in Ningbo, leading to the establishment of several churches.

The church in Laowaitan (Our Lady of Sorrows Church) is a national key cultural relic protection unit. Built in 1872, it adopts the Gothic architectural style and is also a model of the fusion of Chinese and Western architecture, influenced by traditional Chinese architecture.

The Catholic Church on Yaohang Street in Tianyi Square (Assumption of Our Lady Church) was built between 1865 and 1866, with a bell tower added in 1918. Its exterior is modeled after Romanesque and Gothic styles, and its bell tower, at 66 meters high, is currently the tallest church bell tower in China.

These Catholic churches are not only places for religious activities but also have important historical and cultural value, witnessing the exchange and integration of Chinese and Western cultures.

Post by MoonshadowHarmony777 | Nov 16, 2024