Life in a shell: Paoay Church and Jardin de San Augustin

Ilocos Norte is one of the provinces we visited in our North Luzon Escapades. Like Vigan, Ilocos Norte is one of the most beautiful and historic places in the Philippines. Paoay Church, formally called St. Augustine Catholic Parish Church, is the must-see tourist spot in Ilocos Norte. It is truly a national treasure of Ilocos and is considered as one of the oldest church in the Philippines. Paoay Church was awarded in 1993 as UNESCO world heritage site. It is a prime example of a baroque church, in which, the bell tower is physically separated from the church. The church was built by the Augustinian friars in 1694 and was completed in 1894. It is made of coral blocks and bricks that incorporates gothic, baroque and oriental designs that add up to its striking appeal. Like St. Paul Cathedral of Vigan, it is built to withstand earthquakes. It has 24 carved buttresses that support the church's structure during earthquakes.

It is made of coral blocks and brick that incorporates Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs that add up to its striking appeal.
- See more at: http://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2011/06/paoay-church-unesco-world-heritage-site.html#sthash.xvQLZluh.dpuf

Paoay Church, also known as the St. Augustine Catholic Parish Church

Paoay Church and the bell tower on its left side

It was raining when we visited there

The whole gang with a big smile on our faces despite the rain

.....and more big smile

A close shot of one of the oldest church in the Philippines

Another close shot...from different angle

The carved buttresses that support the church during earthquakes

Side view of the church, taken from the Jardin de San Augustin

The bell tower, which is separated from the church

In front of the church

A shot taken from the street

The altar

Picture taken from the front door

Another shot of the altar


Stolen shot...my brother, Bowie

The church by night

The church by night...from different angle

The bell tower by night

Right behind it, is the “Jardin de San Agustin”, a prayer garden for churchgoers and visitors. I’ve got goosebumps when I walked in this garden, probably because of the atmosphere – it was raining a little, nobody was there but me and the statues of saints and all those green plants and flowers and man-made fountains - I should have waited my brother and sisters - and not left them in the church. As I was walking along the garden path, I read all the biblical quotes scattered along the beautiful landscaped garden and somehow I was into it and I felt like I was stepping into the old times when the monks and nuns were in the same place praying and meditating. It was so quiet and so solemn. I felt like I was disturbing them with the sounds / clicks of my camera. Whatever it was that got into me, it scared me that I almost run but then, I saw my brother coming.