Lazada Philippines

Monday, September 2, 2013

Ilocos Sur: The St. Augustine Parish Church and Bantay Belfry

Travelling a little north from the famous city of Vigan lays another historic site one should see when visiting Ilocos Sur. A spot that will give its visitors a bird's eye view of the colorful Vigan City and its own town Bantay, St. Augustine Parish Church and its stunning belfry knows as Bantay Belfry was one of our first destinations upon reaching Ilocos Sur.


Housing the image of Our Lady of Charity, the Patroness of Ilocandia, St. Augustine Parish Church posses a maroon-like brick facade with the design elements of Neo-Grothic. The interior, on the other hand, has a mix of Pseudo-Romansque elements forming this series of arches leading everyone to the altar. The interior looks quite simple, which I personally think was done o purpose to give emphasis on the church structure.


Story behind this church comes with the image of Our Lady of Charity found floating in the Bantay River before it was found and brought to land by the local fisherman. Some other towns claim that the image was theirs but it was only the people from Bantay who was able to carry it leaving the other towns no choice but to let Bantay have it.

Historically, St. Augustine Parish Church and Bantay Belfry have been witnesses to the fights and martyrdom of one of our country's national heroes, Diego Silang. One of the oldest structure and churches in all of Ilocos Sur, St. Augustine Parish Church and Bantay Belfry is definitely a must-see place here in Ilocos Region.


When we went there with my friends, we were just in time for the best moment of our visit there. The sun is about to set and what more beautiful than to listen to the sound of the nature with a wonderful contrast coming from sun, which simply added drama to the lovely view. Climbing up the belfry may look easy, but wait til you really get inside the tower.

The tower or the Bantay Belfry transcends a fiery look ones the sun hits its brick walls. We barely see something like this now here in the country, and with a perfectly lawn grass surrounding it, I must say that this site is well taken cared of.  


The spiral staircase inside the belfry can actually accommodate one person at a time. But the top most of the belfry has quite some space that can fit up to five people. The old bells up there are still being used and in between those bells are these huge windows that give us a good view of almost the whole of Ilocos Sur's capital.


I must say that watching the sunset up there is indeed very touching, something I want for everyone to experience. I just hope that you are not on the window where the Bantay Public Cemetery is, I'm pretty sure you won't be at peace that much. Hehehe.


This place is famous to tourist so it may tend to be crowded sometimes. I believe it is open to the public as early as 8 in the morning, and it closes just before twilight or it depends on the person who mans the area.

Picture wise, I think it is best to be here just before noon time to get the perfect color of the belfry as well as to somehow get some clouds in the background to add a little drama to the pictures. But if you are after the sunset too, with the whole of Vigan and Bantay, then I suggest that be here at around 5 p.m. to get a good spot.

This is my first time to see St. Augustine Parish Church and Bantay Belfry, and I would like to visit this place again to enjoy all over again it beautiful and peaceful sunset.

Happy Rammmpa!



1 comment:

  1. Ang ganda ng kuha mo po sa Bantay Church. I hope I could go there again soon.

    ReplyDelete

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