If you are ever fortunate enough to visit Dalat, then Domaine De Mariet hill also known as Doi Mai Anh or flower hill is a great spot to appreciate some local history.
The area is a complex of one chapel and two monasteries which were built from 1940 to 1944 by Suzanne Humbert, the wife of Jean Decoux, French governor-general of Indochina from 1940 to 1945.
Tourists to the site can visit her tomb located on a corridor at the back of the chapel where her portrait in ao dai and other paintings by handicapped children who are raised there are displayed.
Her tomb faces to a brilliant garden featuring both beautiful cherry blossom trees and roses. Flowers are planted carefully in diversified vases which appeal to tourists who have visited the garden.
Inside the chapel there are rows of dark brown benches for people to pray under a three-meter high statue of the Virgin Mary standing on a globe, which weighs approximately one ton.
People will find it interesting as Domaine de Marie has no bell tower so there’s no bell sound. It was designed in 17th century European architectural style while the roof has a similar shape with the communal house of ethnic minority people in Kon Tum in the Central Highlands.
The exterior of Domaine de Marie is accentuated by flowers and visitors can enjoy the peaceful view at stone benches under the shade of numerous cherry blossoms trees planted around the church. There is a souvenir shop featuring products by underprivileged children for visitors to help those in need by buying some gifts.
