Beijing's oldest and most historic Catholic church

"Xuanwumen Cathedral" is located at No. 141 West Street, Qianmen, Beijing. It is commonly known as the South Cathedral because it is located in the southern part of the city. It was originally built as a chapel in the thirty-third year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1605) and became the first large cathedral in Beijing in the seventh year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1650). The cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, with the current structure being a remnant of the reconstruction in the thirtieth year of the Guangxu era (1904). The South Cathedral faces south from the north and is a typical example of Romanesque architectural style. Its facade is built of clear bricks and decorated with exquisite sculptures, and its doors and windows are inlaid with stained glass depicting religious stories. Xuanwumen Cathedral is also the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Beijing.