St’ Michaels Chatheral

Opening Hours: 6:00-17:00

Admission Ticket Fare: 10 yuan for Adult, 5 yuan for Children（When the mass is celebrated here, the cathedral is open to the public for free.）

Qingdao St. Michael’s Cathedral, originally named St. Michael’s Church, stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles. Designed by German architect Biloha, the cathedral’s construction began in 1932 and was completed in 1934. However, due to the outbreak of World War II in 1939 and subsequent capital restrictions imposed by Hitler, the cathedral’s original design had to be modified, resulting in a scaled-down version of the intended structure. As a result, the cathedral fell short of its planned height of approximately 100 meters.

The cathedral occupies an impressive area of 11,480 square meters, with a floor area of 6,301.54 square meters, designed in the shape of a Latin cross. Above the entrance gate, a grand rose window adorned with intricate detailing commands attention, flanked by imposing structures standing at a height of 4.5 meters on either side. Constructed primarily of reinforced concrete and granite, the cathedral’s roof is crowned with striking red tiles, exuding an aura of classical elegance.

Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a spacious and luminous hall adorned with seven large chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, which towers 18 meters above. At the rear of the hall lies the altar, framed by a dome adorned with exquisite murals that imbue the space with a sense of solemnity and beauty. Qingdao St. Michael’s Cathedral, hailed as the largest Gothic structure in Qingdao and a masterpiece of Catholic architecture, has the capacity to accommodate hundreds of worshippers, serving as both a spiritual sanctuary and a marvel of architectural ingenuity.