The most magnificent century-old Gothic building in Shenyang

Arriving at 4:30 the day before, just as it was closing, I was determined and came early the next morning. Of course, the light and shadow felt in the afternoon and morning are different. Conveniently, I entered through two different doors on two separate days, experiencing different perspectives.

📍: Practical Guide
- 🌴Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (visits suspended during Mass)
- 🌴Special Ceremony: The Latin Mass at 9:00 AM every Sunday uses a bronze bell imported from France in 1898
- 🌴Photography Tips: Various tutorials online; crowded spots are usually the best photo locations.
- 🌴Nearby Attractions: The "Believers' Market" outside the church walls still maintains the tradition of selling homemade holy cards and beeswax candles
🌺🌺🌺 Architectural Secrets
This French Gothic Revival building hides amazing numerical secrets:
1⃣ Twin tower height: 40 meters (equivalent to 13 floors), accessible by a total of 327 spiral steps to the top
2⃣ Building materials: The exterior walls use a special blue-gray mortar made from Benxi Lake iron ore, mixed with glutinous rice paste to increase adhesion
3⃣ Stained glass secret: The central rose window is composed of 1,280 pieces of imported German glass, including 7 pieces of purple glass shaped like "angel tears" (miraculously preserved during wartime)
4⃣ Foundation mystery: 12 large inverted jars are buried 3 meters underground, forming a natural resonance chamber (extending the echo of hymns by 6 seconds during Mass)

Post by CodeSlayer | Aug 20, 2025