Baroque Churches

Baroque Churches
The Baroque Churches of the Phillipines represent a fusion of European church design (baroque) and local construction techniques and decorations. Their specific characteristics include a separate bell-tower and strong buttresses to withstand the powers of earthquakes common in the region.

Four churches were selected to make up this WHS, as samples of the development of this Phillipine-Hispanic style over a period of more than 150 years (16th-18th century). These four are:
- San Agustin (Manila)
- La Asuncion (Santa Maria)
- San Agustin (Paoay)
- Santo Tomas (Miag-ao)

Year Decision Comments
1993 Inscribed Reasons for inscription



Visit December 2005

San Agustin in Manila was the first Phillipine baroque church that I visited. It's located conveniently in Intramuros, Manila's small historic center, the only building to survive WWII there. From the outside this is a bulky church with a Latin American touch. On the inside it's more refined. It can be visited from the adjoining monastery complex, a quiet refuge from Manila's hustle and bustle.

A more exemplary exponent of the so-called Earthquake Baroque I saw in Paoay, a village 1.5 hours by bus from Vigan (Northern Luzon). This church is also called San Agustin, the Agustinians being the first order to arrive in the Phillipines in 1565. This San Agustin church has a spacious setting, so you can have a look at it from all sides.

The large buttresses every few meters that keep the church standing look sturdy enough to withstand any earthquake. While I was looking around this pleasant site, an also visiting Filippino family told me that there even had been an earthquake here last night. "Oh, we have them here all the time...", they said (obviously without worrying). The San Agustin Church will undoubtedly survive a few more.

More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery

Reviews

Ioannis (Philippines):
I visit Manila regularly and check out its beautiful churches all the time. The church of San Augustin always astound me, even if I visit it a lot of times. However, it usually is closed, but can be accessed via the monastery, which also doubles as a museum. For a sum of 100 pesos, I can visit the museum and also I am granted access to the choirloft. This gives a breathtaking view of the church. A must see! I really like the trampe'oleil paintings and the lectern on the choirloft. The exterior is very simple, actually not that impressive on my opinion but do check out the carved wooden doors on the portals and also the chinese guard dogs- a perfect example of east meets west influence.

Another notable church is the San Sebastian. It is a complete stand out, being built in Neo Gothic Style, not common in most churches in the Philippines. Also it is made entirely of steel! A rare gem. And the good part is, it is always open! Even if the portal doors are closed, just go to the small door on the right side of the church, walk past the small, office like room and to a sort of courtyard where the side portal of the church is kept open. It is usually empty. Perfect for quiet medittation and prayer.
Date posted: June 2009
Boj Capati (Philippines):
I checked the UNESCO WHS Site and read that there are a few more Baroque churches on tentative list. (For extension) I do hope they will be inscribed soon.

These churches deserve protection.
Date posted: March 2009
Boj Capati (Philippines):
Visited Paoay and Santa Maria last March (2009).

Both churches are amazing. The huge buttresses of Paoay church are unparalleled. One can still notice the corals used to build the church. (This material is stronger than ordinary stone/brick.)
Santa Maria Church is situated on a hill – giving the impression that it was used both as a place of worship and a fortress.
Date posted: March 2009
Nita Ayag (Hawaii, USA):
Hello,
I visited San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte this past summer. It is truly a very special exerience just to walk inside the aisle of the church and to sit infront of the main altar tp pray. The church is clean but it sure needs a lot of repairs. I hope visitors can be generous so that this beautiful church can be painted, windows repaired and stain glass windows fully cleaned. I imagine how beautiful it would be if the parish can afford to maintain it. Nevertheless, I wish God will allow me to visit this beautiful church again. nita
Date posted: October 2008
Elisabeth Fransisca Situmorang (Indonesia):
I visited the San Agustine one in Manila. The timing was bad because I couldnt see inside. But from the outside, I couldnt see very much of it's "greatness" to be submited as of the WHS.
Yet, it is surely old, and well maintaned. The statue detail is beautiful...
Date posted: August 2008
():
I just visited Miag-ao Church and it is indeed very beautiful. We went to Iloilo for the Dinagyang Festival which is held on the last weekend of January. We went to Miag-ao and loved the rod trip going there. You should not miss having lunch at Allan's (Oton) or in Doming's (Miag-ao) for their oysters and other seafood (and they're very cheap too). The Miag-ao Church was extraordinarily beautiful - with the buttresses and the intricate design of the front facade of the Church. Too bad we weren't able to enter the Church because it was closed (I don't know if it was closed because it was a Monday or if it was because we were there during lunch time).
 
():
We too have visited the churches of San Agustin in the Intermuros area of Manila, and the Paoay church.

The Intermuros was easy to reach, being only a short walk from United Nations station on the LRT line 1.

To reach Paoay from Vigan, we took the Laoag bus and got off at Batac. From there you can take a jeepney or tricycle to Paoay, or it is a level 2km walk.

We found another 'earthquake baroque' church, St Willam's in Laoag, but it is not WHC listed.
 
():
im a little confused about the baroque churches of the Philippines listed as UNESCO WHS. The official UNESCO WHS website http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/677 identifies these churches as:
Immaculate Conception: District of Intramuros, City of Manila
Nuestra Senora: Municipality of Santa Maria, Province of Ilocos Sur
San Agustin: Municipality of Paoay, Province of Ilocos Norte
Santo Tomas: Municipality of Miag-ao, Province of Iloilo

How come the San Agustin Church in Manila is not included on the list, but it is included in your website?
 
Rio Sebastian (Philippines):
I have just been to Miag-ao last Saturday (i was touring around Visayas even with typhoon Caloy doing its own tour all over the country :D) and i think it was resplendently beautiful. I have seen Paoay and Baclayon also but I think Miag-ao is incomparable. and i'm glad i've visited this site and have come to know more about the history of Miag-ao.
Date posted: May 2006
(Canada):
I've been to the Baroque Chruches and they are amazing!
Date posted: April 2006
noriel gedalanga (philippines):
i agree with ivan that san sebastian should be included to the list of baroque churches in the world heritage list. aside from this, more churches should be studied, since most of them are now degrading and needs restoration. miag-ao is the only church outside luzon to be included in the visayas and there are a lot in the visayas that are very old and exceptionally beautiful such as the baclayon (bohol) and san joaquin (iloilo). the visayan islands were gifted to have such old treasures (my hometown Iiloilo city alone has at least 5 including the 1st baptist church in the phils.)
Date posted: February 2006
nono (philippines):
You should also give details of the Miag-ao church in Iloilo not just becuase of its beauty but also because of its historical value. it is dubbed as the "most filipino of all churches" because in the facade you can see bas relief details of Philippine fauna and flora with St. Christopher at the center. Aside from being a church it served as a fortress where native Visayan Christians took refuge during muslim raids (as evidenced by very thick walls--captured natives were sold as slaves in Mindanao). The belfies are asymmetrical because they were built at different periods, one being toppled down by an earthquake and was replaced. The entire church has a beautiful glowing yellowish color because of the sandstone stucco.
Date posted: February 2006
Redd P. Fuster (Philippines):
In addition to the earlier info I posted about San pedro Macati Church (Sts. Peter and Paul), the representatives Archdiocese of Manila discovered that 2 of the 3 Bells in that Church is the Oldest and 3rd oldest Bell in the whole Archdiocese of Manila. Tha main Altar of this church is wonderfuly hand crafted and very detailed.
Date posted: August 2005
Ivan ManDy (Philippines):
Redd,

I didnt know San Pedro de Makati church had such an interesting background, unfortunately, it takes more these features to be included in the WHS list and Im sure those who nominate and approve these sites have their own criteria in doing so. If you ask me to nominate another church in the Philippines, it would the the San Sebastian -Asia's first and only all-steel church.
Date posted: July 2005
Redd P. Fuster (Philippines):
There is another Baroque church located in the heart of Makati City. It is now called Sts. Peter and Paul Parish. It was originally known as San Pedro Macati Church and was built by the Jesuits as Noviciate in 1620. The Church remains standing there. It should be included in the list of Baroques Churches of the Philippines. It is full of historical past including being the camp/hospital during Filipino-American War.It is the only church in the Philippines who has a Papal Tierra in its facade. It is still the original Tierra carved in wood that can be seen there. It is also here in this church that a very unique image of Virgin Mary called "Nuestra Señora dela Rosa" can be seen. This image is said to have a strand of hair of Virgin Mary placed in its chest. It was brought to this church from Acapulco around 1720 if I'm not mistaken. It was recognized during that time as one of the most beautiful image of Mary according to an Artist named Atlas. In the main altar along with Nuestra Señora dela Rosa is a very old Image of Sto. Niño de Passion which is also unique and one of a kind. I hope that the World heritage Site commission will look into this matter.
Date posted: July 2005
Ivan ManDy (Philippines):
The very first WHS I visited. San Agustin in Manila (one of the 4 listed) was where we once had a school trip. It wasnt one of the things I noticed then but I was enthralled at the ornateness (and musty smell)of this 400 year old place that is so redolent of our country's Hispanic past. I remember not being able to sleep that night because I remembered seeing a room full of tombs! Something really to remember by.

Ive been back countless times eversince and have even drove 8 hours just to see the 2 other World Heritage Churches- Santa Maria and Paoay in the Ilocos provinces and feeling as giddy as an eight-year old getting his first lollipop!
 
():
Unique gems that truly represent a merging of the East(Chinese/Filipino) and West (Spanish/Mexican) culture!
 


Have you been to Baroque Churches of the Philippines? Share your experiences!

Add your own review