Temple of the Sacred Heart is located in Guangzhou City, in its old part, on the banks of the Pearl River. It is the largest Roman Catholic church in China. The height of its towers reaches sixty meters and the area of ​​the temple is 2700 square meters.

Cathedral was built in the late nineteenth century by the French architect Guillemin. The building, made in neo-gothic style, began to build in 1861. Construction was carried out with the money of the Emperor Napoleon III and the French private donations. The first stone set into the base of the cathedral, was specially brought from Jerusalem, and in turn, the earth was filled kilogram, delivered from another magnificent city - Rome.

Construction lasted for almost a quarter century and ended in 1888. During the work of engineers are constantly faced with the opposition of the local population, who do not accept the new faith. In addition, work hampered by a lack of skilled workers and good equipment.

The facade is almost exactly copies the Sainte-Clotilde - Catholic church in Paris, built in 1857. On both sides of the main facade are two large towers. In one of the tower are four bells brought specially from France. And the second - set a huge clock. Stained glass inside the Cathedral designed in the Gothic Revival style.

Despite the location, the architecture of the church practically no Chinese influence. The cathedral has retained its classic look. Chinese temple called "stone house" because of the granite, which has become the basic building material. This is one of the few cathedrals in the world, built entirely out of the stone.

Today, the Temple of the Sacred Heart is a representative of the Roman Catholic diocese in the city of Guangzhou. And, of course, it has all the features the usual Catholic Church.