Baroque Churches of the Philippines

The Baroque Churches of the Philippines is the ocial These churches were given priority status not just due to
designation to a collection of four Spanish-era churches their historical value, but also based on the geographic
in the Philippines, upon its inscription to the UNESCO representation of various regions across the nation:
World Heritage List in 2003. [1] They are also one of the
most treasured in the Country.[2]
The collection is composed of the following:
San Agustin Church in Manila
Santa Maria Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo
These churches have been at the forefront of Philippine history, not just in furthering Christianity in the
archipelago, but in serving as the political backbone of
Spanish colonial rule, when Church and State were regarded as one. The unique architecture of the churches
did not just reect the adaptation of Spanish/Latin American architecture to the local environment (including the
fusion with Chinese motifs), but also of the Churchs political inuence. These churches had been subject to attacks by local revolts and rebellions, hence, most had the
appearance of a fortress, rather than just serving as mere
religious structures. This is especially noteworthy in the
case of Santa Maria Church, located on top of a hill, serving as a citadel during times of crisis. Miag-ao Church
also withstood the occasional attacks of Muslims from The interior of the San Agustn Church in Intramuros (Manila).
the south. Further, the location of the Philippines along
the Pacic Ring of Fire called for the emphasis on the
1. Parish Church of San Agustin in Bacong, Negros
buttresses and foundations of these churches, with some
Oriental
being seriously damaged, but eventually rebuilt after an
earthquake.
2. Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in
Balayan, Batangas

1
1.1

Preservation

3. Santiago Apostol Parish Church in Betis, Guagua,

Pampanga

National Cultural Treasures

4. Parish Church of Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon,

Cebu 2

Aside from these ve churches, another church which is

inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List is the Vigan Cathedral under the inscription Historic Town of Vigan. The Philippine National Commission for Culture
and the Arts (NCCA) has also designated the conservation and protection of more than 30 other Spanish-era
churches to be of utmost importance. These were registered as National Cultural Treasures.

5. Parish Church of Saint Rose of Lima in Gamu, Isabela

6. Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Calasiao,
Pangasinan
7. Parish Church of San Vicente de Ferrer in Dupax
del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya
1

1 PRESERVATION
8. Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in
Guiuan, Eastern Samar 1,2
9. Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul in
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

10. Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in

Jasaan, Misamis Oriental

33. Parish Church of Our Lady of Light in Loon, Bohol

34. Parish Church of Santa Monica in Minalin, Pampanga
35. Parish Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino in
Dimiao, Bohol

11. Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Jimenez, Mis- 1.2 Important Cultural Properties
amis Occidental
1. Parish of the Holy Sacrice in UP Diliman, Quezon
12. Parish Church of San Isidro Labrador in Lazi, SiquiCity
jor 2
13. Parish Church of San Pedro and San Pablo in Loboc,
1.3
Bohol 1,2

National Historical Landmarks

14. Parish Church of Santa Catalina de Alejandria in

Luna, La Union

1. Abucay Church Historical Landmark in Abucay,

Bataan

15. Parish Church of San Carlos Borromeo in Mahatao,

Batanes

2. Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in Malolos,

Bulacan

16. Parish Church of San Guillermo de Aquitania in

Magsingal, Ilocos Sur

3. Church of Baler Historical Landmark in Baler, Aurora

17. Parish Church of San Gregorio Magno in Majayjay,

Laguna

4. Lubao Church Historical Landmark in Lubao, Pampanga

18. Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in

Maragondon, Cavite 1

5. Chapel of the Holy Sacrice in UP Diliman, Quezon

City

19. Parish Church of San Andres in Masinloc, Zambales

6. San Sebastian Church

(Quiapo, Manila)

20. Parish Church of Santa Monica in Panay, Capiz

Historical

Landmark

21. Cathedral of San Jose in Romblon, Romblon

7. Calamba Church Historical Landmark in Calamba

City, Laguna

22. Parish Church of San Joaquin in San Joaquin, Iloilo

8. Church of Paete in Paete, Laguna

23. Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Tabaco City,

Albay

9. Taal Church Historical Landmark in Taal, Batangas

24. Parish Church of San Ildefonso in Tanay, Rizal

25. Parish Church of San Pablo in San Pablo, Isabela
26. Basilica of St Michael the Archangel in Tayabas,
Quezon
27. Parish Church of Santa Catalina de Alejandria in
Tayum, Abra
28. Parish Church of San Matias in Tumauini, Isabela 2

10. Cathedral of Boac Historical Landmark in Boac,

Marinduque
11. Quipayo Church Historical Landmark in Calabanga,
Camarines Sur
12. Barotac Nuevo Church, Convent and Cemetery Historical Landmark in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo
13. Dumangas Church Historical Landmark in Dumangas, Iloilo

29. Parish Church of Santa Cruz in Maribojoc, Bohol

14. Ermita Chapel Historical Landmark in Dumangas,

Iloilo

30. Parish Church of San Andres Apostol in Bacarra,

Ilocos Norte

15. Jaro Belfry Historical Landmark in Jaro, Iloilo City

31. Camarin de la Virgen, Parish Church of Nuestra

Sra. De los Desamparados in Sta. Ana, Manila
32. Parish Church of Our Lady of the Gate (Eastern &
Western Facades, Belfry and Baptistry) in Daraga,
Albay

16. Molo Church Historical Landmark in Molo, Iloilo

City
17. Baclayon Church Historical Landmark in Baclayon,
Bohol 1
18. Church and Convent of Santo Nio in Cebu City

3
19. Church of Nuestra Seora de la Concepcion Historical Landmark in Argao, Cebu
20. Church of San Guillermo de Aquitania Historical
Landmark in Dalaguete, Cebu
21. Church of the Most Holy Trinity Historical Landmark in Loay, Bohol
22. Maasin Church in Maasin City, Southern Leyte
1

On August 15, 1993, these churches, along with the one

in Baclayon, Bohol were nominated for World Heritage
Site status as part of the Jesuit Churches of the Philippines.
2
On May 16, 2006, the NCCA nominated a new set
of churches as part of the extension of the Baroque
Churches of the Philippines World Heritage Site. With
the inclusion of two churches from the Jesuit Churches
nomination, these two proposals will likely be combined.

Gallery
San Agustin Church, Manila
Miag-ao
San Agustin Church, Paoay

References

[1] 21 World Heritage Sites you have probably never heard

of. Daily Telegraph.
[2] Baroque Churches of the Philippines. UNESCO World
Heritage Site

External links
World Heritage prole
NCCAs 26 Churches prole
Nomination of Jesuit Churches of the Philippines as
a World Heritage Site
Nomination for the Extension of the Baroque
Churches World Heritage Site

Coordinates: 143524N 1205812E / 14.59000N

120.97000E

5 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

5.1

Text

Baroque Churches of the Philippines Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque%20Churches%20of%20the%20Philippines?oldid=

641591835 Contributors: D6, Ivanhenares, Bobrayner, MZMcBride, Magalhes, Grafen, E Wing, Dakilang Isagani, Joseph Solis in Australia, Joey80, Thijs!bot, MarshBot, The Anomebot2, Johnbrillantes, Kguirnela, Reedy Bot, Idioma-bot, TXiKiBoT, AlleborgoBot, SieBot,
Prof saxx, Podzemnik, Briarfallen, , Bridgetfox, Addbot, WikiEditor50, Numbo3-bot, Lightbot, Luckas-bot, AnomieBOT, ArthurBot, LilHelpa, Obersachsebot, Night w, RibotBOT, Razzmatazz143, FrescoBot, Carcollector, Orceuos, EmausBot, Look2See1, Zollerriia,
Ramon FVelasquez, MIKHEIL, Lastbridge, Phlheritage, Rezabot, Mackie.ocampo, Vvven, RioHondo, Miguel raul, Makecat-bot, Carlojoseph14, Gyneeed and Anonymous: 24

5.2

Images

File:Allan_Jay_Quesada-_DSC_1354_Church_of_Santo_Tomas_de_Villanueva_or_Miag-ao_Church,_Ilo-ilo.JPG
Source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Allan_Jay_Quesada-_DSC_1354_Church_of_Santo_Tomas_de_Villanueva_or_
Miag-ao_Church%2C_Ilo-ilo.JPG License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Allan Jay Quesada
File:Exterior_of_San_Agustin_Church_from_the_Parking_Lot.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/
Exterior_of_San_Agustin_Church_from_the_Parking_Lot.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist:
Fmgverzon
File:Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg License:
Public domain Contributors: The design was taken from [1] and the colors were also taken from a Government website Original artist:
User:Achim1999
File:Paoay_Church_Ilocos_Norte.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Paoay_Church_Ilocos_Norte.
jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Markstephenjayme
File:San_Agustin_1.JPG Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/San_Agustin_1.JPG License: CC BY-SA 2.5
Contributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia; Transfer was stated to be made by User:Jalo. Original artist: Original uploader was
Wikipedia@natividads.com at en.wikipedia
File:Sta._Maria_Church,_Ilocos_Sur.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Sta._Maria_Church%2C_
Ilocos_Sur.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Harrybalais

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