Centuries-old

Architectural
Treasures

Did you know that more than

30 Catholics churches in the
Philippines built during the
Spanish era are listed as
National Cultural Treasures
by the National Commission
for Culture and the Arts?

This is because these churches

are over a century old and are
an important part of the
countrys history and heritage.
Four of these historical
structures have been
inscribed into the UNESCOs
list of World Heritage Sites.

These are: the San Agustin Church

in Manila; the Santa Maria Church
Ilocos Sur; the San Agustin Church
in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; and the
Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church
in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
They are collectively known
as the Baroque Churches of
the Philippines.

The present structure of

the San Agustin Church
completed in 1607 is the
third Church to be build
on site. The first two
structures were razed to
the ground by a fire.

Designed by a Spanish
architect by the name of Juan
Marcias, the present San
Agustin Church features a
High Renaissance style faade
with symmetrical Tuscan
columns flanking the main
entrance.

The ornately carven wooden doors

depicting floral and religious images
provide the facade a touch of Baroque.
the Churchs grandeur, however, lies
within its walls. San Agustin Church
boasts of one of the most artistically
decorated interiors among the
churches built during the Spanish
period.

 Two Italian artists, Cesare

Alberoni and Giovanni Di Bella
were commissioned to work
on the churchs interior in
1875 and together, they
brought its ceiling to life with
a magnificent trompe loeil
barrel vault.

 Trompe loeil is an art technique

that depicts objects with realistic
objects with realistic detail, and
making them appear threedimensional (3D). A barrel vault
is an architectural design, much
like a single-curve or semi
cylindrical ceiling design.

 The Church of Our Lady of the

Assumption (Nuestra Senora de la
Assuncion) is more commonly
known as the Santa Maria Church.
Its construction began in 1765
atop a hill to serve as a lookout and
citadel against raiders.
It is designed like a fortress of
bricks and mortar.

 To reach the Church, one has to

climb an 85 step stairway made
of granite rock. At the end of the
grand three-flight stairway is an
expansive courtyard that
commands a picturesque view of
the lower plains and the entire
town of Santa Maria.

 It has a free standing fourstory bell tower constructed

separately from the church.
There is also a convent on
front of the church. It is
accessible from the church
by an elevated walkway.

 Built in 1786, the Church of

Santo Tomas de Villanueva,
also known as Miag- ao
Church, provided the local
residents a place of refuge
and protection during pirate
raids that were prevalent in
those days.

 This church is a good example

of Rococo architecture. Also
referred to as Late Baroque,
Rococo is an artistic style of
the 18th century and was
characterized by fanciful,
curved, asymmetrical forms,
and elaborate organization.

 Despite its unmistakable

European architecture, the
Filipino character of this church
is very much visible, especially in
the faade.
The faade shows St Christopher
carrying the infant Jesus among
lush tropical vegetation.

 The artisans
incorporated local motif
such as flowers and fruits.
In this design, they
expressed the Filipinos
prayers for abundance.

 Churches during the Spanish

colonial period were not only
houses of prayer but also
places of sanctuary where
people sought protection
against natural calamities
and pirate raids.

 The bell towers also served

as watchtowers.
The Paoay Church is one
such structure. It has a
rectangular or cross-like plan.
The high and thick walls are
supported by buttresses.

 The buttresses are projecting

structures made of concrete or stone.
They support or make the wall of the
building stand strong against
earthquakes.
The church is large in size and
constructed in a massive form.
Windows are usually small to prevent
intrusion by unwelcome elements.