This is one of the four Baroque Churches of the Philippines (a collective term for the Spanish-era churches in the Philippines) which were inscribed by UNESCO World Heritage in 1993. Built since January 1607 and still standing until now, it is known to be the oldest surviving church in the Philippines.
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| The facade may be very plain, but this church is historically extravagant |
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| the beautifully elaborate carvings on the wooden door |
According to the church attendee, near the altar is a vault containing the tomb of the bones of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and other Spanish conquistadors, Governor-Generals and archbishops. (May add to a pretty eerie atmosphere!)
SCHEDULE OF MASSES
Monday to Friday – 6:30 am, 7:00 am, 5:30 pm
Saturday – 7:00 am, 5:30 pm (anticipated mass)
Sunday – 8:00 am (children’s mass), 10:00 am, 6:00 pm
Located just beside the church, is the San Agustin Museum which houses the different unscathed and preserved things of the past. The architectural design involves a two-storey square building with a courtyard at the middle. At the entrance booth, you will be asked to submit your baggage and umbrellas and pay the entrance fee.
As you enter the museum, you will be first greeted by this huge bell (weighing approx. 3,400kg) and a signboard emphasizing the route in touring the museum (yes, you'll have an organized tour)
The hallways are decorated with old century paintings and artworks which depicts stories of the past.
The ground floor consists of the: Sala De La Capitulacion (with artifacts and statues) Sacristy (with an altar and more statues and painting) Sala Profundis (a dining area of priests long time ago with an awesome Aztec-designed ceiling) Crypt (which displays the graves and tombstones of priests and archbishops)
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| the old staircase made of Chinese granite, a climb to the second floor. |
The second storey consists of the San Pablo Hall (with more painting and a miniature of the church design) San Agustin Hall (displays photos and pictures of churches in the Philippines built by Augustinians) Porcelain Room (artifacts collection on the decade of Chinese- Philippine trading) Church Vestments (preservation of elegant garments of the priests) , Biblioteca , Antechior / Choir Loft.
Father Manuel Blanco's Garden. is located at the central part of the museum. He is given credit for having studied the plants for herbal and medicinal purposes. Unfortunately, I didn't have any chance of strolling in the garden due to lack of time. (no pictures for now)
But I am looking forward to visit the museum again soon. :)
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OPEN hours: 8:00am - 12:00nn
1:00pm - 6:00pm
Entrance Fee: (as of 2011)
Php 100 - general admission
Php 30 - students (present valid ID)
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Picture taking inside the rooms (where artifacts and historical things are placed) is prohibited.
But allowed at the lobby.
527-4060 and 527-4061 for more information.
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