FEATURED | The UNESCO Baroque Churches of the Philippines
In this adventure, let us take you to the UNESCO Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
The Philippines is the humble abode of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This sprawling archipelago has the Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras, Vigan City of Ilocos Sur, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and Tubbataha Reefs of Palawan, and lastly the four Baroque Churches spread across the archipelago.
TransitPinas already visited four of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines on April of 2018. Let us take you back at the massive and imposing architectural ensembles.
National Treasures
These four churches would not be recognized by an international body if not for their significance and their influence over the years specially during the Spanish occupation.
Monumental structures such as these are outstanding examples of the Philippine interpretation of the Baroque style. Wherein they emblematize the European church designs that are fused with local materials.
Their attributes make them one of a kind; massive edifices which are used as fortresses against raiders and natural calamities. They house some of the ornately decorated paintings which depicts the local understanding of the life of Christ.
Also, some intricately weaved dresses for their patron saints as depicted in the culture of the region. But what stands out the most is the resiliency of the original materials used that is still standing as of today.
1. San Agustin Church, Manila
Located at the very heart of the walled city of Intramuros, the San Agustin Church is also known as The Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustín. Built in 1571 after the Spanish Conquest, this is the oldest church in Manila today.
San Agustin Church withstood the test of time ranging from the raid of the Muslim Pirates in 1741 and 1754, fires from the revolution of Spain in 1854, the 1880 earthquake, and the Liberation of Manila in 1945.
Paintings at the interior of the church dates back during the 19th century. From that time, the church has been richly endowed with murals, a fine retablo, pulpit, lectern and choir-stalls. TransitPinas visited this during the 2017 Manila Photowalk Series.
How To Get There
- San Agustin church is located in Real Street Corner General Luna Streetintramuros, Metro Manila, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila
- Check out all possible commuting routes HERE.
2. Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte
Located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, the Paoay Church is also known as the Church of San Agustín or Iglesia de San Agustín de Paoay. Built in 1751, this Roman Catholic church is an outstanding example of the Earthquake Baroque style architecture. This style is highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building.
It has twenty-four giant buttresses that is conceived as a solution to possible destruction of the building due to earthquakes. To add, the Javanese inspired walls are made or coral stones at the lower level and bricks at the upper level.
During that time, mortar was used. The mixture used is composed of sand, lime with sugarcane juice, then boiled with mango leaves, leather and rice straw.
The bell tower’s construction started in 1793 and from then, served as a watchtower by Filipino Revolutionaries against the Spaniards in 1898.
Paoay Church was used again by the Filipino Guerillas against the Japanese Soldiers during the World War II. It resembles a pagoda and is made up of Coral stones. TransitPinas visited Paoay Church during their 2016 Ilocos Adventure Series.
How To Get There
- Paoay Church is located in Marcos Ave, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Check the Ilocos Norte travel guide HERE.
3. Miagao Church, Iloilo
Located in Miagao, Iloilo it is also known as the Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva. After ten years of construction, the Baroque-Romanesque inspired church was finished in 1797. The structure has been a bastion for the locals against the Moro invaders whom they call as Tacas.
Indeed, it has withstood the test of time from different eras: badly damaged during the Spanish revolution in 1898, Fire in 1910, World War II, and earthquake in 1948. It underwent restoration in the 1960’s and has been a fine surviving example of the Fortress Baroque.
The church walls are made up of coral, brick, adobe, limestone and eggs. Along with other Visayan churches, coral stones are used in construction since it is more abundant in this region.
At the middle of two differently shaped tapering bell towers lies the facade with the ornately decorated bas-relief of St. Christopher. He is depicted carrying the child Christ on his back.
Furthermore, the other designs are other traditional floras such as Papaya, Coconut and Palm Tree with other local scenes of the daily life in Miagao.
This showcases a fine Filipino transfiguration of western elements into our very own identity. TransitPinas visited this church during their 2016 2-day adventure in Panay Island.
How To Get There
- Miagao Church is located in Zulueta Ave, Miagao, 5023 Iloilo.
- From Iloilo City, take any Ceres Bus bound for Antique and drop-off at Zulueta Avenue where the Fortress Baroque Church lies.
4. Santa Maria Church, Ilocos Sur
Located in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, the Church of Santa Maria or Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion was built in 1765. The church brick facade has one large portal with three windows.
The first buttress on the front is adorned with the relief image retelling how the statue of Our Lady of Assumption was always found on top of a Guava Tree. According to local stories, the statue was lost on several occasions from the old town church. Moreover, the location of the said tree is where the present church is now located.
The bell tower, just like most of the churches in Ilocos region, is free-standing and is not parallel to the church facade. It stands adjacent to the third buttress. Also, the octagonal four-story tower was built wide, with each level narrowing till it reaches the top, typical of earthquake baroque church towers.
The top is finished with a cupola, while the front part is designed with a clock for church goers to see. Apart from this, other intricate designs were added such as finials, balustrades and single pilasters. TransitPinas visited this old-world charm of a church during his 2018 Ilocos Sur Solo Adventure.
How To Get There
- From Manila, take a bus bound for Vigan, Laoag or Pagudpud. Dominion, Farinas, Partas and RCJ bus plies this routes, hop off at Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur crossing.
- From the Main Highway, the church is just less than a kilometer away inside the small town and not on the main highway, one can opt to walk going to the church or take a tricycle
“Conservation and restoration are undertaken through offices under implementing national cultural agencies which ensure the regular monitoring of its state of conservation including its many concerns, threats and problems. …The site manager of the Baroque Churches (NCCA) works with the NM and NHCP in ensuring that work is done according to World Heritage standards and in order to improve the conservation management processes so that the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties are maintained and properly managed.” – whc.unesco.org
**Photo credits to Janeil Arlegui for the dreamy watercolor paintings of the churches used by TransitPinas as header photos.
A Fortress Lost in Transition – Santa Maria Church
The Great Amianan | Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte
