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| Churches |
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- Catholic Church
Originally named St.Emil Church after construction was finished in
1934, the Catholic Church (Tianzhu jiaotang) is Qingdao's largest
and most opulent church. After climbing the steep road off Zhongshan
Lu, the 200ft twin spires rise majestically before you, claiming dominance
over the surrounding buildings. The cool white interior is interestingly
offset by garish pictures and life-size wax models of famous Christians,
including a huge mural of a beatific Mary and some simple, tattily
clothed Franciscans.
The area around this church is also well worth a wander, with old
30s German buildings mixed in with modern Chinese concrete. The cobbled
streets leading up to the church are normally filled with local Muslim
vendors selling their wares, the meat and octupi on stick look intriguing,
and are worth tasting.
Opening hours for the Church are highly variable and out of season
the place only seems to open on Sundays, but even without entrance
this area is definitely good to visit. Access to the twin towers was
blocked off for renovations at the time of writing, but it is always
worth asking about. As with the nearby Protestant Church, services
are normally held here every Sunday.
- Protestant Church
The Qingdao Protestant Church (Jidu jiaotang) was built in 1910.
Although recently renovated this church still retains most of its
original style and charm. Situated on a slight hill across from
the Xinhaoshan park, the 39.10 meter tall bell tower and 18 meter
high main hall, are easily missed on the winding roads leading up
here. The church is in typical Protestant style, the sandy yellow
walls and clay red tiles contrasting well with the greyish buildings
around this area.
Within, the church is spacious and austere and can hold between
300 and, aledgedly, thousands of congregation. The highlight of
the church is the bell tower which houses an old German bell and
clock face. The mechanism for the clock and the bell itself can
be seen after a short climb up a steep flight of steps. If the bell
tower is open, try and get to the top on the hour, when the mechanism
and bell explode into action. |
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