The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Canton

Guangzhou, Guangd, China

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Canton, known locally as "Shíshì Tiānzhhț Tang" ("Por-Pálica-Tág"), is one of the most emblematic Catholic churches in South China and one of the most impressive neo-Gothic buildings in East Asia.

History of the Cathedral

The construction of the cathedral began in 1863, during the Qing dynasty, on the remains of an ancient Buddhist temple. The project was promoted by the French missionaries of the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP), who had established a significant presence in the province of Guangdong.

The cathedral was designed by the French architect Léon Vautrain, inspired by the Sainte-Chapelle of Paris and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. The works lasted for 25 years, and were finally consecrated in 1888. The building is 78 meters long, 35 meters wide and its twin towers are 58 meters high.

Architecture and sacred art

The cathedral is an exceptional example of neo-Gothic architecture in China. Its grey granite facade features two towers flanking a large roseton. The interior houses vitrals imported from France that represent scenes of the life of Christ and of the saints.

The main altar, made of white marble, was carved in Italy. The internal columns, with capitals decorated with plant motifs, hold a cruise vault that reaches 28 meters high. The cathedral also retains a series of European-style oil paintings that adorn the side chapels.

The Virgin of the Sacred Heart in Guangdong

Marian devotion in Guangdong has a long history. The first Jesuit missionaries arrived in the region in the 16th century, and devotion to the Virgin Mary was deeply rooted among Cantonese Catholics. The cathedral houses an image of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart that has been the object of popular devotion for more than a century.

During the Boxer Rebellion (1900), the cathedral served as a refuge for the persecuted Catholics. The faithful gathered in the temple to pray the rosary, and according to tradition, the protection of the Virgin saved many from death.

Persecution and survival

During the Cultural Revolution (1966- 1976), the cathedral was desecrated and converted into a factory. The vitrals were destroyed, the sacred images burned and the building seriously damaged. However, the clandestine Catholic community kept the faith alive, celebrating masses in private houses.

After the religious opening of the 1980s, the cathedral was restored and returned to veneration. In 1996, the Chinese government declared it a National Cultural Heritage. Today is a pilgrimage place for Catholics from all over China and South-East Asia.

The cathedral today

Today, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Canton is the seat of the bishop of the diocese of Guangzhou. He celebrates daily masses in Mandarin and Cantonese, and on Sundays he also serves in English to serve the international community. The cathedral receives thousands of visitors a year, both Catholics and tourists attracted by its architectural and historical value.

In 2018, the cathedral was included in the UNESCO World Heritage indicative list, recognizing its importance as a witness to the interculturalism between China and the West.