Explore Xujiahui St. Ignatius Cathedral
The Xujiahui Cathedral, officially known as the St. Ignatius Cathedral, is the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Shanghai.
This church is not only one of the iconic buildings in Shanghai, but also a famous Catholic church in Asia.
The Xujiahui St. Ignatius Cathedral is renowned for its architectural style of the French Gothic Revival during the neoclassical period.
Xujiahui St. Ignatius Cathedral History
The history of Xujiahui Catholic Church can be traced back to the first year of Xianfeng in Qing Dynasty (1851). At that time, the newly built old church was named Saint Ignatius Catholic Church.
The Cathedral we see today was built in the second year of Xuantong in Qing Dynasty (1910), designed and built by French architects.
After its completion, this church quickly became one of the landmark buildings in Shanghai, and at that time it was known as the first Cathedral in the Far East.
After years of repair and protection, Xujiahui St. Ignatius Cathedral still maintains its original style and charm.
St. Ignatius Cathedral Architectural Design
Xujiahui St. Ignatius Cathedral was designed by French architect William Dowdall. The whole building is five stories high.
The cathedral covers an area of 2,670 square meters and the building area is 6,670 square meters. It can accommodate more than 3,000 people and is the largest Catholic church in Shanghai.
The Xujiahui Cathedral has a long cross-shaped plan, facing east. On the north and south sides of the church there is a towering Gothic bell tower. The clock tower is about 51.7 meters high, with a spire of 31 meters.
St. Ignatius Cathedral Decoration Features
The overall shape of the St. Ignatius Cathedral is upright and solemn. The exterior walls are constructed with plain red bricks and equipped with stone buttresses.
There is a huge circular rose window on the main wall. The colored glass embedded on it is even more colorful and beautiful.
There are 64 stone pillars of various sizes inside the church, all of which are processed with Jinshan stone from Mount Jin in Suzhou. The independent column is composed of 10 small cylinders assembled together.
How to Book a Visit to Xujiahui Cathedral?
Xujiahui St. Ignatius Cathedral is currently open for free. Visitors can enter the tour without buying tickets.
Visitors need to make an appointment to visit, and a QR code will be generated after the appointment is successful.
Visitors are required to enter the venue with the QR code within the reserved time period.
The opening hours of Xujiahui Cathedral are from 09: 00 to 16: 00 from Tuesday to Saturday, and it is closed all day on Monday and Sunday.
Conclusion
Xujiahui Catholic Church is a Catholic church that integrates history, culture and architectural art.
Its neoclassical French Gothic Revival architecture is breathtaking. The interior of the church is richly decorated, with stained-glass Windows and statues of the Virgin.
If you need to plan a trip to Shanghai, please feel free to Contact Us. We will provide you with professional travel planning and consulting services, based on your specific needs and preferences.
Nearby Attractions
Wukang Mansion - Shanghai Most Famous Building
Plan a Trip to Jade Buddha Temple
Plan a Visit to Shanghai Longhua Temple
Explore Xujiahui St. Ignatius Cathedral
Tips for Visiting Shanghai Film Park
Zhujiajiao Water Town Tourist Information
Guyi Garden, Shanghai | Tours and General Info
Things To Do in Qibao Ancient Town