Visita iglesia: Bulacan, Manila, Cebu, Capiz

In tandem with Simbahan.net, Langyaw.com presents some visita iglesia routes featuring the existing Filipino Baroque churches in each featured province that are still existing, except that of Intramuros where the lost churches are shown.

This is part of my Semana Santa series where I feature rituals and traditions observed in certain places during this solemn week in the Catholic calendar. Click on the image at the right to check the rest of the articles.

Bulacan is just near Manila and it is home to several Filipino baroque churches that are architecturally significant with some considered as National Cultural Treasures. Most of these churches were built by the Augustinians as this was part of the order’s area. Some, like Obando and Marilao were built by the Franciscans.

Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the Bulacan churches.

Cebu is the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines and on its soil, it has 28 beautiful Filipino baroque churches still existing from north to south, west to east. What’s unique about these structures are that these are all built with coral stones which were quarried underwater. The orders who built these were the Augustinians, the Seculars and the Augustinian Recollects.

Check out the downloadable free PDF guide.

The province of Capiz has its own beautiful churches. Six structures are still existing including the magnificent Pan-ay Church which has the biggest bell made from coins contributed by the townsfolk. The province was under the Augustinians.

Check the churches and the free PDF download.

Of course, the city of Manila isn’t far behind. Eight stunning churches of which two are from the walled city that is Intramuros. Historic, significant and one, San Agustin, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the oldest stone church in the country and the only remaining structure that has preserved well its interiors.

Check out the churches and the free PDF download.

Lastly, a different take on the visita iglesia. This one traces the old churches that, except two, used to be found in Intramuros before the Japanese and later, the Americans destroyed it all. Seven magnificent churches, the mother church of the different orders.

Check these once standing structures and the free PDF download.