Baroque Churches of the Philippines

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.

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

Site #677: The interior of the San Agustín Church in Intramuros (Manila).

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:

1. Parish Church of San Agustin in Bacong, Negros Oriental
2. Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in Balayan, Batangas
3. Parish Church of Santiago Apostol in Betis Guagua, Pampanga
4. Parish Church of Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon, Cebu²
5. Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Calasiao, Pangasinan
6. Parish Church of San Vicente de Ferrer in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya
7. Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in Guiuan, Eastern Samar^{1 2}
8. Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental
9. Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental
10. Parish Church of San Isidro Labrador in Lazi, Siquijor²
11. Parish Church of San Pedro and San Pablo in Loboc, Bohol^{1 2}
12. Parish Church of Santa Catalina de Alejandria in Luna, La Union
13. Parish Church of San Carlos Borromeo in Mahatao, Batanes
14. Parish Church of San Guillermo de Aquitania in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur
15. Parish Church of San Gregorio Magno in Majayjay, Laguna
16. Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in Maragondon, Cavite¹
17. Parish Church of San Andres in Masinloc, Zambales
18. Parish Church of Santa Monica in Panay, Capiz
19. Cathedral of San Jose in Romblon, Romblon
20. Parish Church of San Raymundo de Peñafort in Rizal, Cagayan
21. Parish Church of San Joaquin in San Joaquin, Iloilo
22. Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Tabaco City, Albay
23. Parish Church of San Ildefonso in Tanay, Rizal
24. Basilica of St. Michael Archangel in Tayabas, Quezon
25. Parish Church of Santa Catalina de Alejandria in Tayum, Abra
26. Parish Church of San Matias in Tumauini, Isabela
27. Parish Church of Santa Maria Magdalena in Kawit, Cavite
28. 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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