Difference between revisions of "Baroque Churches of the Philippines" - New World Encyclopedia
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== San Agustin Church in [[Manila]] == | == San Agustin Church in [[Manila]] == | ||
| + | <!-- | ||
| + | {{Infobox religious building | ||
| + | | building_name =San Agustin Church | ||
| + | | infobox_width = | ||
| + | | image =San agustin facade.jpg | ||
| + | | image_size =220px | ||
| + | | caption = | ||
| + | | map_type = | ||
| + | | map_size = | ||
| + | | map_caption = | ||
| + | | location =[[Intramuros]], [[Manila]], [[Philippines]] | ||
| + | | geo ={{coord|14|35|20|N|120|58|29|E|display=inline|region:PH-00_type:landmark_source:dewiki}} | ||
| + | | religious_affiliation =[[Roman Catholic]] | ||
| + | | rite = | ||
| + | | province = | ||
| + | | district = | ||
| + | | consecration_year =[[1607]] | ||
| + | | status =church | ||
| + | | functional_status =active | ||
| + | | heritage_designation = | ||
| + | | leadership = | ||
| + | | architecture =yes | ||
| + | | architect =Juan Macias | ||
| + | | architecture_type =Church | ||
| + | | architecture_style =[[Baroque architecture|baroque]] | ||
| + | | groundbreaking =1586 | ||
| + | | year_completed =1607 | ||
| + | | specifications =yes | ||
| + | | capacity = | ||
| + | | length ={{m to ft in|67.15}} | ||
| + | | width ={{m to ft in|24.93}} | ||
| + | | materials =adobe stones | ||
| + | | nrhp = | ||
| + | | added = | ||
| + | | refnum = | ||
| + | | designated = | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | '''San Agustín Church''' is a [[Roman Catholic]] church under the auspices of [[Augustinians|The Order of St. Augustine]], located inside the historic walled city of [[Intramuros, Manila|Intramuros]] in [[Manila]]. Completed by 1607,<ref name=al1>Aluit, p. 41</ref> it is the oldest church currently standing in the [[Philippines]].<ref name=torres2/> No other surviving building in the Philippines has been claimed to pre-date San Agustin Church. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In 1993, San Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches constructed during during the [[History of the Philippines (1521–1898)|Spanish colonial period]] designated by the [[UNESCO]] as a [[World Heritage Site]], under the classification "[[Baroque Churches of the Philippines]]". It had been named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.<ref name=lay4/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==History== | ||
| + | The present structure is actually the third Augustinian church erected on the site.<ref name=lay3>Layug, p. 83</ref> The first San Agustin Church was the first religious structure constructed by the [[Spaniards]] on the island of [[Luzon]],<ref name=ph>{{cite web |title=San Agustin Church (Intramuros, Manila) |url=http://heritageconservation.wordpress.com/2006/07/29/san-agustin-church-intramuros-manila |author=Heritage Conservation Society |accessdate=2008-03-24 }}</ref> Made of [[bamboo]] and [[Nypa fruticans|nipa]], it was completed in 1571, but destroyed by fire in December, 1574 during the attempted invasion of Manila by the forces of [[Limahong]].<ref name=al0>Aluit, p. 40</ref><ref name=torres2>Torres, p. 62</ref> A second church made of wood was constructed on the site.<ref name=al0/> This was destroyed in February, 1583, in a fire that started when a candle set ablaze the drapes of the funeral bier during the interment of the [[Governor-General of the Philippines|Spanish Governor-General]] Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa.<ref name=torres2/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Image:San Agustin 1.JPG|left|thumb|The interior of the '''San Agustín Church''' in Intramuros, with magnificent trompe l'oeil mural on its ceiling and walls]] | ||
| + | The Augustinians decided to rebuild the church using stone, and to construct as well an adjacent [[monastery]]. Construction began in 1586, from the design of Juan Macias.<ref name=al0/><ref name=ph/> The structure was built using hewn [[adobe]] stones quarried from [[Meycauayan, Bulacan|Meycauayan]], [[Binangonan]] and [[San Mateo, Rizal]].<ref name=lay4/> The work proceeded slowly due to the lack of funds and materials, as well as the relative scarcity of stone artisans.<ref name=al0/> The monastery was operational by 1604, and the church was formally declared as completed on [[January 19]], [[1607]], and named '''St. Paul of Manila'''.<ref name=al0/> Macias, who had died before the completion of the church, was officially acknowledged by the Augustinians as the builder of the edifice.<ref name=al1>Aluit, p. 41</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | San Agustin Church was looted by the [[Great Britain|British]] forces which occupied Manila in 1762 during the [[Seven Years' War]].<ref name=torres3>Torres, p. 63</ref> It withstood major earthquakes that struck Manila in 1645, 1754, 1852, 1863, and 1880. In 1854, the church was renovated under the supervision of architect Luciano Oliver.<ref name=ph/> On August 18, 1898, the church was the site where Spanish Governor-General Fermin Jaudenes prepared the terms for the surrender of Manila to the United States of America following the [[Spanish-American War]].<ref name=lay3/><ref name=torres3/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during [[World War II]], San Agustin Church was turned into a concentration camp for prisoners.<ref name=lay3/> During the final days of the [[Battle of Manila (1945)|Battle of Manila]], hundreds of Intramuros residents and clergy were held hostage in the church by [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese soldiers]]; many of the hostages would be killed during the three-week long battle.<ref name=lay3/> The church itself survived the bombardment of Intramuros by American and Filipino forces with only its roof destroyed, the only one of the seven churches in the walled city to remain standing.<ref name=lay3/> The adjacent monastery however was totally destroyed, and would be rebuilt in the 1970s as a museum under the design of architect Angel Nakpil.<ref name=lay4>Layug, p. 84</ref><ref name=torres3/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Features== | ||
| + | [[Image:San agustin door.jpg|right|thumb|The ornately carved main door of '''San Agustin Church'''.]] | ||
| + | San Agustín Church measures 67.15 meters long and 24.93 meters wide.<ref name=lay4/>. Its elliptical foundation has allowed it to withstand the numerous earthquakes that have destroyed many other Manila churches.<ref name=lay4/> It is said that the design was derived from Augustinian churches built in [[Mexico]],<ref name=ph/> and is almost an exact copy of [[Puebla Cathedral]] in [[Puebla, Puebla|Puebla]], Mexico.<ref name=lay4/> The facade is unassuming and even criticized as "lacking grace and charm", but it has notable [[Baroque architecture|baroque]] touches, especially the ornate carvings on its wooden doors.<ref name=ph/> The church courtyard is graced by several granite sculptures of lions, which had been gifted by [[China|Chinese]] converts to Catholicism.<ref name=lay3/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The church interior is in the form of a Latin cross.<ref name=lay4/> The church has 14 side chapels and a [[trompe-l'oeil]] ceiling painted in 1875 by [[Italy|Italian]] artists Cesare Alberoni and Giovanni Dibella.<ref name=lay5>Layug, p. 85</ref> Up in the choir loft are hand-carved 17th-century seats of [[molave (tree)|molave]], a beautiful tropical hardwood. | ||
| + | The church contains the tomb of Spanish [[conquistadors]] [[Miguel López de Legazpi]], [[Juan de Salcedo]] and [[Martín de Goiti]], as well as several early Spanish Governors-General and archbishops. Their bones are buried in a communal vault near the main altar.<ref name=lay4/> The painter [[Juan Luna]], and the statesmen [[Pedro A. Paterno]] and [[Trinidad Pardo de Tavera]] are among the hundreds of laypersons whose remains are also housed within the church. | ||
| + | |||
| + | San Agustin Church also hosts an image of Our Lady of Consolation (Nuestra Senora de Consolacion y Correa), which was canonically crowned by Manila Archbishop Cardinal [[Jaime Sin]] in 2000.<ref name=lay4/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Gallery== | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | Image:San Agustin 2.JPG|Interior of '''San Agustin Church''' | ||
| + | Image:San Agustin 3.JPG|'''San Agustin Church''' is a popular venue for weddings. | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | {{reflist}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | * {{cite book |last= Layug |first=Benjamin Locsin |title=A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches |year= 2007|publisher=New Day Publishers |location=Pasig City, Philippines |isbn= 971-8521-10-0|pages= 39-41}} | ||
| + | * {{cite book |last= Aluit|first= Alfonso|title= By Sword and Fire: The Destruction of Manila in World War II 3 February - 3 March 1945|year= 1994|publisher= National Commission for Culture and the Arts|location= Philippines |isbn= 971-8521-10-0|pages=83-85}} | ||
| + | * {{cite book |last=Torres |first=Jose Victor Z. |title=Ciudad Murada: A Walk Through Historic Intramuros |year=2005 |publisher=Intramuros Administration & Vibal Publishing House, Inc. |location=Manila |isbn=971-07-2276-x |pages=62-63}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==External links== | ||
| + | * [http://www.maniladailyphoto.com/?s=san+agustin San Agustin Church Photos] | ||
| + | * [http://www.byahilo.com/la-iglesia-de-san-agustin-manila La Iglesia de San Agustin, Manila] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:1607 architecture]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Building in Manila]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Augustinian monasteries in the Philippines|Agustin in Manila, San]] | ||
| + | [[Category:World Heritage Sites in the Philippines|Agustin in Manila, San]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines|Agustin in Manila, San]] | ||
| + | [[Category:National Cultural Treasures in the Philippines]] | ||
| + | [[Category:National Historical Landmarks in the Philippines]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Landmarks in the Philippines]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Churches in the Philippines]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Century old churches in the Philippines]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{credits|209412650}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | —> | ||
== Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in [[Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur]] == | == Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in [[Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur]] == | ||
Revision as of 20:53, 14 May 2008
| Baroque Churches of the Philippines* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| |
| State Party |  Philippines
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv |
| Reference | 677 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1993 (17th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
The Baroque Churches of the Philippines is the official designation to a collection of four Spanish-era churches in the Philippines, upon its inscription to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.
The collection is composed of the following:
- San Agustin Church in Manila
- Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
- San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte
- Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo
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.
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.
San Agustin Church in Manila
Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo
Description
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 was regarded as one. The unique architecture of the churches didn't just reflect the adaptation of Spanish/Latin American architecture to the local environment (including the fusion with Chinese motifs), but also of the Church's political influence. 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 south. Further, the location of the Philippines along the Pacific Ring of Fire called for the emphasis on the buttresses and foundations of these churches, with some being seriously damaged, but eventually rebuilt after an earthquake. The most imposing of these buttresses could be found in Paoay Church, while the true testament of this architecture could be seen in San Agustin Church, Manila, the only structure in Intramuros to survive World War II. Hence, the unique architectural style became known as Earthquake Baroque.
Greater protection
Aside from these four churches, the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has also designated the conservation and protection of 26 other Spanish-era churches to be of utmost importance. These were registered as National Cultural Treasures.
These churches were given priority status not just due to their historical value, but also based on the geographic representation of various regions across the nation:
- Parish Church of San Agustin in Bacong, Negros Oriental
- Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in Balayan, Batangas
- Parish Church of Santiago Apostol in Betis Guagua, Pampanga
- Parish Church of Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon, Cebu2
- Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Calasiao, Pangasinan
- Parish Church of San Vicente de Ferrer in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya
- Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in Guiuan, Eastern Samar1 2
- Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental
- Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental
- Parish Church of San Isidro Labrador in Lazi, Siquijor2
- Parish Church of San Pedro and San Pablo in Loboc, Bohol1 2
- Parish Church of Santa Catalina de Alejandria in Luna, La Union
- Parish Church of San Carlos Borromeo in Mahatao, Batanes
- Parish Church of San Guillermo de Aquitania in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur
- Parish Church of San Gregorio Magno in Majayjay, Laguna
- Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in Maragondon, Cavite1
- Parish Church of San Andres in Masinloc, Zambales
- Parish Church of Santa Monica in Panay, Capiz
- Cathedral of San Jose in Romblon, Romblon
- Parish Church of San Raymundo de Peñafort in Rizal, Cagayan
- Parish Church of San Joaquin in San Joaquin, Iloilo
- Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Tabaco City, Albay
- Parish Church of San Ildefonso in Tanay, Rizal
- Basilica of St. Michael Archangel in Tayabas, Quezon
- Parish Church of Santa Catalina de Alejandria in Tayum, Abra
- Parish Church of San Matias in Tumauini, Isabela
- Parish Church of Santa Maria Magdalena in Kawit, Cavite
- Parich Church of Nuestra Señora Virgen del Rosario de Caracol Rosario, Cavite
External links
- World Heritage profile
- NCCA's 26 Churches' profile
- Nomination of Jesuit Churches of the Philippines as a World Heritage Site
- Nomination for the Extension of the Baroque Churches World Heritage Site
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[[Category:]]
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