Historical Churches of Iloilo

Miagao Church, Iloilo, World Heritage Site

Miagao Church or Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church

The Miag-ao Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with three other colonial Baroque churches under the collective title, Baroque Churches of the Philippines. Please follow this link for my article on Miagao Church:
https://travelswithcharie.blogspot.com/2014/03/miag-ao-church.html

Fortress Towers of Miagao Church

The two belltowers are of unequal height and served as watchtowers following Islamic invasions in 1741 and 1754.

Main Altar, Miagao Church

The gold-plated retablo is the original altar used in the late 1700s and was found during excavations in 1982. A fire had ravaged the church in 1910 and it was believed the retablo had been razed as well.

Guimbal Church or San Nicolas de Tolentino

Guimbal Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It was built in 1774 and restored twice, once after World War II and after the earthquake of 1948 which also destroyed the Jaro Cathedral.

Guimbal Church Wall

The Romanesque inspired walls of Guimbal Church have withstood the ravages of time.

Molo Church or Saint Anne Parish Church

The Molo Church is called the "feminist" church for the 16 statues of female saints on each side of the central nave. The belltowers and main altar are Neo Gothic in style. Saint Anne Parish Church has been around since 1831.

Jaro Cathedral or Nuestra Señora de Candelaria

The Jaro Cathedral or Nuestra Señora de Candelaria was constructed in 1874 in the Romanesque Revival style. It was damaged by an earthquake in 1948 and restored in 1956. This church has been proclaimed a National Shrine by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The feast of Our Lady of Candles is celebrated annually in February.

Choir loft of Jaro Cathedral

The interior of the Jaro Cathedral is finely decorated with frescoes such as the one depicted above the choir loft.

Where to stay:

Seda Atria Hotel

Donata Pison Avenue, Iloilo City

sedahotels.com

Convenient location, choice of restaurants and shops next door at The Shops at Atria, Iloilo Business Park and Convention Center are 5 minutes away, easy parking.

*****

Images by TravelswithCharie

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