Santa Maria Church UNESCO Site in Ilocos Sur

SANTA MARIA CHURCH

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Photo from: http://sanjosenyonggala.blogspot.com/2013/08/santa-maria-church-unesco-world.html

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion), commonly known as the Santa Maria Church is the parish church of Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur province, Philippines. The church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 11, 1993 as part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, a collection of four Baroque Spanish-era churches. – wikipedia.org

Photo from: pitchandvich.com

Small tricycles roam the streets that are marked with charming houses and colonial structures. But up on the higher part of town is its crowning glory. The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, known to everyone as Sta. Maria Church, is an 18^th century brick church that sits on top of a hill, much like a fortress. The façade, like many Philippine Churches of that era, is imposing and grand. Its bell tower looks like a pagoda, and is curiously detached from the main church itself. From the highway, you simply have to climb 86 steps and you’re there! Walk around the church and you’ll find an even older chapel and cemetery. – http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/sta-maria-ilocos-sur/

Photo from: www.panoramio.com

Santa Maria Church is located on a hill in the town. The Church and Convent is perfectly suited for self-defense which is one of Baroque Churches of the Philippines characteristics.

This Church was built in 1765. The location is different from typical Spanish tradition that would be built in the central plaza. – http://www.aseanworldheritage.com/2012/02/santa-maria-church-baroque-churches-of.html

Photo from: www.panoramio.com

The town of Santa Maria lies on a narrow, flat plain between the sea and the central mountain range of Ilocos Sur province on the island of Luzon. In the 16th century, when Spanish Augustianians first settled in the area, Santa Maria was a mere visita, or mission outpost. By the mid-18th century, Santa Maria had become one of the most successful of the Augustinian missions in the Philippines, and construction of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción began in 1765.

A stairway of 85 steps leads up a hill from the edge of town to the church, which is perched like a citadel and fortified by a retaining wall of stone. Its elevated setting is unusual for Spanish colonial churches of the period, which were usually sited in plazas. Flanked by two cylindrical columns, the church’s exposed brick façade—once covered in limestone—opens into a nave flooded by natural light. A massive octagonal bell tower, added in 1810, stands nearby. – http://www.wmf.org/project/nuestra-se%C3%B1ora-de-la-asunci%C3%B3n