Constructed more than two hundred years ago in the year 1797, the Miagao Church stands as a living legacy of the culture and way of life of the people of Miagao centuries ago, anchored in a strong foundation of Christian faith. As most travelers would agree, the Miagao Church is one of the country’s architectural gems because of its unique and imposing designs, ornaments and motifs.
The renowned artistic facade of the Miagao Church in Iloilo
The artistic facade of the Miagao Church is decorated with a relief sculpture of St. Christopher carrying the Christ child amidst coconut, papaya and guava shrubs. Like any other foreign influences, the architecture of many colonial churches has undergone the process of indigenization. This process is carried out by incorporating the prevailing Hispano-American and Medieval Spanish architecture with local as well as Muslim and Chinese touches. Thus, the synthesized topology which is anachronistic with the unmindful sues of decorative elements. It had no distinction in terms of periods or orders. A truly ‘Philippine Church’, it exudes a native touch.
A large stone image of St. Thomas of Villanueva, parish patron saint, dominates the center. Carved life-size statues of the Pope and St. Henry with their coat-of-arms above them flank the main entrance. Supporting the facade are the twin belfries, one towering two-storeys and the other three-storeys high. The church’s simple interior is nevertheless highlighted by a striking gold-plated retablo.
In Baroque-Romanesque style, the church sinks six (6) meters deep into the ground with walls one-and-a-half (1 1/2) meters thick and buttresses thrice thicker. The creative and aesthetic abilities of Spanish colonizers are reflected in many colonial churches in the Philippines. This is especially true in Miagao Church – a world-renowned religious structure now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
How to get to Miagao Church
The Miagao Church is 30 to 45 minutes away from Iloilo City Proper. Commuters can take a “Miagao” jeepney from Mohon Terminal in Molo District or from the Iloilo Terminal Market (better known as “super”) in Downtown Iloilo. Jeepney Fare is P34. For more info, visit the Iloilo Jeepney and Bus Guide.
Location Map
Address: Poblacion, Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines
maganda ang mga larawan mo pero sana, pinasyal mo pa ang buong church para saamin. sa pamamagitan ng mga larawan .
salamat saeffort mo well appreciated.
Maganda naman kaso sana etinatranslate ninyo naman sa Filipino
para maka intindi ang iba
maganda ang describesion at ang pictures ang galing
pero lang may kunting mali kase hindi ka amercano filipino
ka kaya sana tinagalog mo nalang pare idol panaman kita tapos
hindi ka pala marunong mag sulat ng filipino words pare sorry kase nasabi ko yon at salamat sa pag creat ng miagao church
pare salamat and nice job have a nice day
i think this is not only for filipinos but for other people around the world to understand
Hi Marco,
I hope you don’t mind if I post your link to our wedding website.
Thank you for a very informative website.
Maraming salamat.
maganda sya kaso wla akong masyadong maintindihan………………….
hi! thanks for this beautiful post! what is the best means of transportation if I will be visiting this church from Iloilo City? i’m planning to be in Iloilo this Sept on a solo backpacking tour and i will be staying in the city. i’d love to visit this church, together with the San Joaquin, Guimbal, and Tigbauan churches. which means of transportation would you advise? and also, is it possible to visit all of these churches in one whole morning? or will I need more time to cover all four? thanks! will appreciate any help.
@nice,this website have section that deals with Iloilo transportation (PUJ), yes , you can visit them all in the morning because they are all conveniently adjacent (towns) with each other, you can also visit Fish Museum in Tigbaun
the venue of my wedding…..may 18, 2009