From May 12 to 24, my husband and I went on a road trip through the
Central Luzon and
Ilocos Regions, stopping at cities and towns that we've never visited before. My Manila goes outside Metro Manila for the next few days. I hope you enjoy the trip.
Leaving the province of
La Union and continuing north, we enter the province of
Ilocos Sur. Our first stop was the town of
Santa Maria, about 355 road kilometers away from Manila, to visit the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, one of the four
Baroque Churches of the Philippines inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. We arrived at noon, only to discover that the church is closed everyday from 11:30am to 2:00pm. So unfortunately, we did not get to see or take photos of the interiors. The church dates back to 1769 and the separate bell tower to 1810.
Amazingly, the church's buttresses are almost completely intact, surviving the three events (the 1892 earthquake, the 1898 Philippine Revolution, and the end of World War II in 1945) that damaged or destroyed most of the churches and other Spanish-era buildings in the region.
I'm not crazy about the plaster relief of Our Lady of the Ascension added to a wall beside one of the side entrances, but it does identify the patroness of the church, aside from breaking the monotony of the brick.
I was intrigued by the brick outline of a window and a door on one wall which was constructed of stone rather than brick.
The original rectory at the back of the church is still in use by a priest who obviously likes gardening. Isn't it so charming?
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion stands on a hill surrounded by a defensive wall. Pedestrians have to climb these steps from the street but there is a narrow, winding road at the rear for those who have vehicles.
Another set of stairs leads down to an overgrown path which passes through a tunnel of trees. I would dearly love to know where that path leads—it looks like a lovely walk (but not in the middle of the day).
LUZON ROAD TRIP SERIES #6
9 comments:
c'est magnifique, surtout la troisieme photo avec le relief
An incredible church and very beautiful. Extremely well built, too. Thank you for sharing!
I just found your site. I am going to enjoy traveling with you! I love what I see so far!
Dear Hilda, thanks so much for sharing your travels shots, this place is very special and beautiful!
Léia
historıcal places,nice environment,thank you for nice sharing,I wish nice holıday
I was especially taken by the first photo. You evoked the massiveness and majesty of the architecture.
this is the road trip I'd take. kudos to you and hubs for taking this wonderful road trip.
Oh, how I wish we can go on road trips like this again! But with a toddler, it's a bit difficult already. :(
Coffee With Kim
tres interressant,merci du partage et bonne semaine ;o)
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