Grupo Kalinangan is one with the nation in observing this Holy Week. One of the traditions of Filipino Catholics is to do Visita Iglesia starting Holy Thursday, to visit, pray and do Stations of the Cross in at least 7 churches.
Take time to virtually visit these 7 Philippine Heritage Churches built in the 1500s-1700s, as we present to you, Kulturang Pamana: Visita Iglesia.
- Santo Nino Church (Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Cebu City)
- Manila Cathedral (Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Manila)
- Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours, Taal, Batangas)
- San Pedro Apostol Parish Church, Loboc Bohol)
- San Agustin Church (Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Consolacion y Correa, Manila)
- Betis Church (Santiago Apostol Parish Church, Betis, Guagua, Pampanga)
- Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church, Miagao, Iloilo
Santo Nino Church (Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Cebu City)
The Santo Nino Church dates back to the earliest years of the Augustinians in the Philippines, founded by Fr. Andres de Urdaneta on April 28, 1565. The church is believed to be built on the site where the image of the Holy Child was found – the same image that Ferdinand Magellan brought to Cebu in 1521. The present structure was completed in 1739-1740.
Manila Cathedral (Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Manila)
The present structure is the eight reconstructions of the church following the Battle of Manila in 1945 during the Second World War. In 1981, Pope John Paul II raised the Manila Cathedral to the dignity of a Basilica (moto Proprio) on April 27, 1981, two months after his first visit to the Philippines in February 1981.
Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours, Taal, Batangas)
The first church was constructed in 1575 in the present-day town of San Nicolas. However, the church and the town were transferred to their present site after the 1754 eruption of the Taal Volcano. The present structure was constructed in 1856 under Fr. Marcos Anton who sought the help of Spanish Architect Luciano Oliver.
San Pedro Apostol Parish Church, Loboc Bohol)
The San Pedro Apostol Parish Church, commonly known as the Loboc Church, is the second oldest church on the island of Bohol, having been originally built in 1602 by the Jesuits. A stone church was built circa 1632 but was damaged by fire. A newer and bigger church was completed in 1734.
San Agustin Church (Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Consolacion y Correa, Manila)
The Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Consolacion y Correa or the Immaculate Conception Parish, more popularly known as the San Agustin Church in Manila, is the oldest existing stone church in the Philippines. The present structure, which has survived numerous damaging earthquakes and wars, was completed in 1607.
Betis Church (Santiago Apostol Parish Church, Betis, Guagua, Pampanga)
The St. James the Apostle Parish Church in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga, more commonly known as the Betis Church, was first built in 1660 and was rebuilt with concrete materials in 1770. During the Spanish colonial period. Betis was an independent town that had its own autonomy, but due to the migration of its inhabitants to the nearby Guagua in the American period, it was merged with this town in 1904.
Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church, Miagao, Iloilo
The Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish of Miagao, Iloilo was founded in 1731. A newer church was constructed in 1787 in a more secure place, following a series of Moro invasions. It was built on the highest point of the town and with thick walls. The most distinguishing feature of the church is the ornate bas-relief on its facade, depicting St. Christopher holding on to the tree of life. The artwork was a mixed influence of Medieval Spanish, Chinese, Muslim, and local traditions and elements.
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