Ōura Cathedral (Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan)

History

First church completed 1864 by French MEP priests Louis Furet and Bernard Petitjean and dedicated to the 26 Martyrs (canonized 1862). On 17 March 1865 Hidden Christians from Urakami revealed their faith to Petitjean here. The present, larger Gothic building dates from around 1878–79. National Treasure since 1933; minor basilica (Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan).

Getting there

Tram to Ōura Tenshudō stop, then uphill walk.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ōura_Church
• https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1495/

From the library

• 'Facing a Form of Formed God': Japan's Hidden Christians — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 12, 24, 41
• Religiosity and Underground Life — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 18, 19
• The Triumph of Perseverance: Kakure Kirishitan — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 3, 11
• Martyrs of the Meiji Era — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 1, 11

Coordinates 32.73411, 129.87024