NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA ASUNCION CHURCH

Posted by Atsikar Yonip (Valenzuela, Philippines) on 7 May 2009 in Architecture and Portfolio.

Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church (also known as Sta Maria Church
Ilocandia Experience
April 8-11, 2009
Nikon D300
High Dynamic Range Photography
AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED (11.1x)
Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
Philippines

Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church

The Church of the Assumption, designated as a National Historical Landmark on Sept. 26, 1982 and included in the World Heritage List on December 11, 1993, is built on top of a hill giving visitors a panoramic view of the town, the green fields and the blue sea in the horizon. One can reach the Baroque church via an 82-steps stairway. Two huge columns flank the church facade. What makes the church attractive is its reddish exterior due to the exposed brickwork. An octagonal bell tower is located nearby.

The patron saint of the parish, which was established in 1765, is Señora de la Asuncion and her feast day is celebrated on August 15, the feast of the Assumption. Enshrined in the church is the Virgin’s statue made of wood in ornate sculptural style, with ivory face and hands. She stands on pedestal of clouds surrounded by angel’s heads.

Built in 1765 under the direction of the Augustinian order, the ensemble resembles a citadel sited on the crest of a solitary hill rising above one side of the Santa Maria town plaza. The architectural ensemble presents its side and detached pagoda-like bell tower rather than its facade to the town. Thick contrafuetes (buttresses) are attached to the walls, reinforcing the structure against earthquake damage. The bell tower is constructed a distance away, protecting the main church structure from possible earthquake damage. Approached on foot by ascending a long, wide flight of piedra china, steps that rising from the edge of the town plaza, the small, cramped plaza at the top of the steps is bounded by the church facade that faces the convent, enclosed by an arcaded bridge that connects both structures.