5 best places for Philippine cemetery architecture

if you are into cemetery architecture, these five sites are interesting!

Old cemeteries can be found in every town and city in the Philippines but there are just some places of repose that are above the rest. In terms of architecture and significance, these five, as listed below, are must sees.

1 La Loma, Chinese and North Cemeteries, Manila

This, perhaps, is the biggest cemetery complex in the country and are just beside each other. The La Loma (private and Catholic) opened in 1884, Chinese and North cemeteries are not only the place of repose for ordinary citizens. Buried here are presidents, poets and heroes, and other notable persons. But what makes these cemeteries stand out are the many different mausoleums done in different architectural styles popular during a particular period.

There’s art deco, neoclassic and chinese versions of these styles. Flamboyant decorations or simplistic approaches can also be found on niches and lapidas that are sure to delight and bewilder architects, students and enthusiasts.

2 San Joaquin Cemetery, Iloilo

When passing through the town of San Joaquin, one can’t ignore the beautiful cemetery located just beside the highway. It’s one of a kind cemetery chapel, the crowning glory of this cemetery, with its red dome, columns, finials and lateral occuli, is sure to turn heads. The structure, atop a grand staircase, makes it one of the important architectural treasures of Iloilo.

The cemetery was completed in 1892 by Fray Mariano Vamba using bricks, limestone and coral stone as building materials.

3 Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, Laguna

The province of Laguna is known for the catacombs of Nagcarlan, the only one of its kind that is accessible to the public. It is also one of very few circular cemeteries in the country. The main chapel, done in the baroque style, is also one of some structures with an espadana type of pediment where a lone bell is hung.

The catacombs, accessed through a flight of stairs below is just eerie but very interesting with its trompe l’oeil, or what remains of it. The cemetery was built in 1845 by the Fransciscan parish priest, Fray Vicente Velloc.

4 Original Carreta Cemetery, Cebu

It is one of the most neglected cemeteries in Cebu that has been invaded by squatters but it does have interesting surprises inside:

• Spanish colonial era niches with thick walls but smaller with arched openings made of bricks, compared to modern ones.
• art deco niches and mausoleums with intricate marble carvings and etched designs
• neoclassic mausoleum of the Osmena’s that hold the remains of clan members. Niches are located underground.

There are still a few mausoleums that are quite interesting enough in this area. Check also langyaw.com where this was featured in one of the must go to heritage sites in Cebu.

5 Bogo Cemetery, Cebu

It was an unexpected find. In my usual search for spanish colonial era structures in cemeteries while in Bogo, at the tip of Cebu province, I just came up to this beautiful and ornate tomb. I think, this dates back to the Spanish colonial era when the town was one of the richest sugar estate. The structure is made from coral stones and decorated lavishly with carvings and bas reliefs.