History has it that the parish of Paoay church was founded by Augustinian Missionaries in 1593 -- which is why this church is in Paoay, and where its cornerstone was laid only in 1704 -- is called St. Augustine Catholic Church. The church was damaged by an earthquake in 1706 and 1927. Its construction primarily was intended to withstand earthquakes. The huge belltower was used as an observation post for Katipuneros during the revolution in the late 1800s, and was later used by local resistance forces during the second world war when the Philippines was occupied by Japan.
Paoay is probably one of the best known churches in the Philippines. Constuction for this church started in the early 1700s, and was completed before 1900. The walls are more than 1 meter thick -- made of coral stones. The design of the church is a mixture of Gothic, Oriental and Baroque influence. No one mentioned though how many Filipinos died in building this church, and how many were forced to by Spanish conquerors bringing their religion with them -- to oppress and scare the people.
This church is now one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. It currently
is a property of the Diocese of Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
Paoay Church
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Philippines
extreme©ph, Vjekoslav1, ButchokoyD, Ragstatic, and 47 other people added this photo to their favorites.
View 18 more comments
brian.lyle 65 months ago | reply
great capture its appearance seems to indicate no longer in use
Claudia Rocchini 65 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called National Geographic - by Italian people and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
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1) THE BEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR
2) THE BEST PICTURE OF THE MONTH
(Add the tag at your photo: "NGI - National Geographic - by Italian People")
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Sangeeth VS 65 months ago | reply
Lovely shot!
tUtAy 65 months ago | reply
Please tag your photo with "Outstanding PinoyKodakero"
Lú_ 65 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Architecture, 1400-1900, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
diamonds_in_the_soles_of_her_shoes 65 months ago | reply
A splendid capture !
sevenbrane 65 months ago | reply
Interesting building!
**Lili** 64 months ago | reply
Gorgeous SC!!
kingratt82 64 months ago | reply
I don't think you could do ANYTHING to make this photo more perfect than it is. Awesome! I only hope that when I visit Laoag this year I can capture an image this perfect. ;)
arnelltayamen 64 months ago | reply
I dont expect that , I was amaze ,It is so beatiful church.
julesnene 60 months ago | reply
This is really a perfect shot!
franz1286 58 months ago | reply
old churches like these really catch my interest...
:)
ac4photos ( More off than on - Computer Woes ) 58 months ago | reply
Great shot. Nice comp.
dan_mueller20 57 months ago | reply
I have started a new group on places of worship from different religions and would love if you added this and any other pictures to it. Thanks!!
www.flickr.com/groups/whereweworship/
daiz71 55 months ago | reply
WoW!!!
iman_K92_diesel 53 months ago | reply
Bolinao Church is also One of the oldest Baroque Church in Luzon Built in 1609
www.flickr.com/photos/32824112@N06/3063284446/
ⓔⓧⓐⓘⓜ 53 months ago | reply
*** Please enter our Churches contest!!!***
You're invited!!!! Please add this Ooh! La La picture
We'd love to have this picture into the group:
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ysiad23 49 months ago | reply
it's really a marvelous example of Baroque architecture....
Ozgurmulazimoglu 46 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called L'amicizia fa la differenza - Friendship makes the difference, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Luke-rative 30 months ago | reply
Lovely photo.... remember, the REAL church Ü