Isao S.
Yelp
The Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki have been added to UNESCO's Tentaive List of Worid Heritage sites, as cultural assets which tell a story of missionary history unlike any other in the world; that of the introduction and initial prosperity of Christianity in Nagasaki, followed by brutal persecution causing believers to go into hiding for 250 years, and then the miraculous revival of faith.
The value of the "Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki as a Candidate for World Heritage Site registration.
First one is Oura Cathedral.
Established 1865, this church is officially known as "Oura Catholic Church, The Church of 26 Martyrs." It was built by the French priest Bernard Petitjean of Fier who had been dispatched by the Foreign Missionary Church of Paris to dedicate prayers to the 26 saints martyred on Nishizaka hill. For this reason, the church faces Nishizaka. Representative of Europe in mediaeval times, the church was constructed in the Gothic style and is Japan's oldest existing wooden church. It was designated a National Treasure in 1933. French stained glass was installed in the interior some 100 years ago, but most of this was seriously damaged in the atomic bomb blast. It has since been restored with some pieces of other stained glass from that period. The prayer space collects the beautiful light that infuses the church's interior. Oura Catholic Church became famous worldwide as the church that discovered the "hidden followers" who had survived the religious persecution.
Open Hours; 8:00 A.M.-18:00. 7 days a week throughout the year.
Admission Free; Adults are 600yen.
Direction; it take 4 minutes ' walk from Ouratenshudo-Shita Streetcar Stop.