January 17, 2010

Repaired

Only the facade and the Chinese-influenced octagonal bell tower of the 1852 Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz, better known as the Binondo Church, survived the flattening of the City of Manila during WWII. It is easy to see which the oldest parts are, with their damaged reliefs and cracked pillars, but it is also quite easy to see where they are repaired and reinforced with new concrete.

Binondo Church

24 comments:

George said...

I think it's wonderful that the church is being repaired instead of just being torn down. I'm not sure such a building would be saved over here.

Clueless in Boston said...

Great composition. The church facade looks very imposing.

Louis la Vache said...

«Louis» is happy to see this restoration/repair.
Manila (and all of the Philippines) suffered terribly in WWII.

IamMBB said...

I think there's something beautiful about old war scarred buildings. Speaks to survival and perseverance.

brattcat said...

What a history this building has. And you have caught it at such a compelling angle.

Anonymous said...

Being of German origin I do feel forced to beg your pardon upon having being provided with such harm. Yet, how wonderful to see, that mankind and its hands are still able to repair nearly everything.
Please have a wonderful Sunday.

Lowell said...

Another of your striking compositions, Hilda...you have a way of making photography a drama, or dramatic! One can just imagine what this must have looked like after the war and how much work has gone into its restoration!

Lianne said...

i want to take another carlos celdran tour! i think its time i refreshed my knowledge of philippine history

leethroughthelens.blogspot.com

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Interesting angle, facade and history.

Mike Rose said...

Hilda a dark and rather foreboding facade. I wonder is the church still in use?

Good to see that despite the bombing of Manila in WWII that parts of the city have indeed survived.

Chuck Pefley said...

Glad to see it has survived and been repaired.

Ben Nakagawa said...

Nice shot and nice story for repaired facade, some one may wish it was with the smiler stones instead of concrete? However, it is important that was fixed and left for next generation.

Thanks for comment on the Nelson DP.

Don and Krise said...

I love the angle here. You're darned good at it too. When you enlarge the photo you can sure see the cracks. I think I even see a few things growing up there. What an erie feel this shot has.

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

As always, very informative Hilda. The rest of the world, USA especially, forgets the damage done in the Philippines during WWII. Thank you for SHOWING and reming us. We all need to find a way to work together, even today.....

City blogging helps!

Jan
GDP

Petrea Burchard said...

This old beauty has a dramatic presence. Don gave me the word--it has an eerie beauty.

VP said...

I understand this very well, it happened here and only part of churches and building survived.
Nice to see that almost the bell-tower of this beautiful survived and was restored.

arabesque said...

hi hilda, yes, it needs restoration..., i hope they'll do something about it.

Unknown said...

Glad part of the building has survived WWII. The façade looks magnificent!

Cezar and Léia said...

This facade is quite imposing and beautiful! Good to know that all is in place now!
God bless you!
Cezar

Dina said...

I hate to think of places like this being hurt in wars.

Leif Hagen said...

What a monumental, magnificent building! It looks like some weeds are growing on it??

Anonymous said...

It's still a beautiful building with amazing detail, Hilda - wow.

Unknown said...

I confess that I didn't know so much of Manilla was destroyed in WWII. At least some of the beauty is still there.

Andreea said...

It's a beautiful building, I'm happy it survived the war and that is being restored.