Introduction
Ninh Binh has a rich natural heritage, and there is one place called “Europe in the heart of the ancient capital.” The place we are mentioning here is Chau Son Monastery, which is extremely famous among tourists. Anyone who visits must exclaim in admiration when witnessing its beauty. The campus, covered with cool green mixed with unique Gothic architecture, is a place you should not miss when visiting Ninh Binh. Let’s explore the unique architecture of Chau Son Monastery Ninh Binh with Ninh Binh Private Car.
Chau Son Monastery Location And How To Get There
Address: Village 4, Phu Son commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province
This Monastery is 65 km from Phat Diem Cathedral, 35 km from Hoa Lu City, 2 km from Nho Quan town center, and 97 km from Hanoi. If you are already in Ninh Binh, there are many ways to get you here. First, you can consider renting a taxi. This method is relatively expensive, so it is unsuitable for those who want to save money.
Second, you can use the bus, but you should book tickets early and get to the bus stop on time to avoid missing out. In addition to those two ways, you can rent a motorbike or bicycle to get here, but it can get lost for those who don’t know. So, the optimal way is still to use our Ninh Binh Private Car service.
In addition to organizing trips within Ninh Binh province, we are ready to take you anywhere in Vietnam. If you need anything, you can contact us via WhatsApp at +84349825119 or phamvanhoa28@gmail.com. Here are some of the transfer services we provide:
- Ninh Binh To Ha Giang Private Car – from 191 USD/sedan
- Ninh Binh Ta Xua Private Car – from 168 USD/sedan
- Limousine from Ninh Binh To Dong Hoi – from 255 USD/car
If you choose to use the motorbike service, you can follow the following route: Starting from the Gian Khau intersection (Gia Vien district), you will turn right onto provincial road 477. Go about 18km more, and you will see a sign leading to the Monastery on the right side of the road. Just go a little further, and you’ll get there.
History of Holy Mother Monastery
Chau Son Holy Mother Monastery, built on August 15, 1936, is a contemplation monastery from Phuoc Son Holly Mother Monastery in Quang Tri. Vietnamese Bishop Gioan Baotixita Nguyen Ba Tong asked the Superior of Phuoc Son Holy Mother Monastery in Quang Tri province to establish a church in the Phat Diem area.
Chau Son Monastery, Vietnam, belongs to the Cistercians, a place where monks retreat to meditate. This Monastery is known by names such as Chau Son Church or Gach Church. The church was built from about 1939 to 1945 with French Gothic architecture. The church dome is not made of reinforced cement but of molasses, bagasse, and bamboo. Even though it is nearly 100 years old, the Monastery is still preserved almost perfectly.
Explore The Gothic-Styles Architecture Of Chau Son Monastery
Main Building
Although he has not gone through any architecture school, Father Placido Truong Minh Trach is a young monk who, together with his students, built this Monastery. The architecture, like an ancient castle hidden in the middle of a green forest, makes this place more mysterious. The entire building is made of unpainted red bricks; over time, a layer of moss gradually forms, creating an ancient look.
The Cathedral has a Gothic-style design and measures 64 meters in length, 20 meters in width, and 21 meters in height. It was built from East to West, with the facade facing East as a symbol of orientation to Christ. The best feature of this architecture is the exquisitely designed windows, which contain many metaphorical images.
Inside the Cathedral
The Cathedral is a place to worship Jesus and a place to pray every day. The 21 m high white dome in the heart of the Cathedral is the Monastery’s most massive and magnificent architectural work. The walls of the Cathedral are harmoniously decorated with windows, divided into two floors, upper and lower. The interior windows of the Cathedral are made from luxurious wooden glass, and the exterior windows are decorated with “punctured carved” paintings with images of Saints and Jesus.
Inside the Cathedral, natural light from large windows flows into two wide hallways. This light makes the columns more prominent with meticulously designed details. In addition, the white dome has become the highest point of the architectural art inside, highlighting unique reliefs symbolizing the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. Outside are paintings depicting Jesus Christ and symbolic images of Christianity.
The cathedral’s unique gothic design style, with a strong European influence, has made it extremely magnificent. The carved images and lines in the citadel all represent Christianity. If you are a devout, you definitely cannot miss Chau Son Monastery on your tour.
The Campus of Chau Son Monastery
The campus surrounding the Monastery is a lush green garden with hundreds of different types of trees and flowers. The monks of Chau Son Monastery renovated and planted many ornamental plants and flowers, creating a beautiful garden called Fatima Garden. This is a verdant corner with lush grasslands and a clear lake. The garden is decorated with stones from the Southern region and an artificial egg rock.
In addition, the campus also has a stone well called Ong Jacob’s Well, which is located deep below the ground, and a stone cave called Calvary Mountain, which is situated behind Chau Son Holy Mother Monastery. These have created a quiet and solemn space at the Monastery, like a sacred place suitable for religious practice.
Walking on the campus of Chau Son Monastery feels like stepping into Eden Garden. Watching the flowers bloom and listening to the birds sing is like listening to a wonderful piano concert.
Chau Son Monastery Ticket Price
Chau Son Monastery does not collect ticket fees for anyone visiting this place. So visitors can completely rest assured about that. All you need to prepare is a beautiful outfit and a fully charged phone or camera to take stunning photos.
Chau Son Monastery Opening Hour
Chau Son Monastery is open every day of the week, but there are some fixed hours for visitors.
- From Monday – Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- On Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This time frame is outside the priest’s prayer time, so you should choose a time when you are free. In addition, the Monastery is not open to visit during Lent (nearly 40 days before Easter every year).
What Time of Year Should You Go to Chau Son Monastery?
Ninh Binh province has a tropical monsoon climate with an average temperature of only 23.5 degrees Celsius. This place has four seasons: cold, dry winters and hot, humid, rainy summers. Therefore, at every time of the year, Ninh Binh and Chau Son Monastery wear a unique look.
However, to make your trip to Ninh Binh more interesting, you should choose early spring (January to March). At this time, the climate is cool and slightly chilly, making walking around the monastery grounds very convenient. This is also the perfect time to explore other tourist attractions in Ninh Binh, such as Bich Dong Pagoda, Ninh Binh Night Market, and Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.
You can also travel from April to June in the summer when the sky is clear, airy, and bright sunlight is available. However, Ninh Binh often has cold spells in winter, hindering your fun. To avoid affecting your visit, check the weather forecast before visiting Chau Son Monastery.
Notes When Visiting Chau Son Monastery
This is a place of practice and prayer for monks, so visitors can only visit after prayer time. Therefore, you should monitor the opening time frame to ensure a complete trip.
Besides, Chau Son Monastery will not be open to visitors around early August, March, or Lent. This may be due to religious holidays or special events at the Monastery.
Finally, below are some basic rules for maintaining respect and order when visiting a sacred place like Chau Son Monastery.
- To show respect for the sacred space, you should dress politely and discreetly when visiting the Monastery.
- Avoid making noise when visiting the Monastery.
- Do not litter while visiting the Monastery. Put your trash in the right place to preserve its green beauty.
- You should be careful not to break tree branches, cut flowers, or do other actions that damage plants when visiting the Monastery.
- You should not arbitrarily enter your father’s house, study area, and other locations without permission.
Conclusion
Chau Son Monastery in Ninh Binh offers visitors a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful Gothic-style architecture surrounded by lush greenery. Whether you come for spiritual reflection, to admire the unique design, or to enjoy the tranquil environment, the Monastery offers a refreshing respite from the busy world. A visit to Chau Son Monastery is a rewarding experience for those seeking beauty, history, and moments of peace in Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh Private Car, thanks for taking the time to read the article. We hope you have an interesting discovery trip in Ninh Binh.