Camalaniugan Church Ruins

Camalaniugan Church Ruins are ruins of a Roman Catholic church located in Camalaniugan, Cagayan, Philippines. Built in 1596, the church was dedicated to Hyacinth of Poland, a Dominican priest and saint.[1]

Camalaniugan Church Ruins
The church ruins in 2006
Map
18°16′15.6738″N 121°40′31.6897″E / 18.271020500°N 121.675469361°E / 18.271020500; 121.675469361
LocationCamalaniugan, Cagayan
CountryPhilippines
Religious instituteRoman Catholic
History
StatusRuins
Founded1596; 428 years ago (1596)
Architecture
Functional statusInactive
Heritage designationNational Historical Landmark
Architectural typeChurch building

History edit

The local people of the Camalaniugan were friendly to the Spanish missionaries, which led to the founding of the church in 1596.[1] Overlooking the Cagayan River,[2] the first church was believed to have a roof of thatch.[3]

From the 17th to 19th century, the Camalaniugan Church was damaged by earthquakes, floods, fires and typhoons, and repeatedly repaired. In 1898, a typhoon unroofed the church. However, the church was not repaired after the typhoon as its wall was already crumbling into the river, and a new church was planned to be buillt in another location away from the river.[4]

Present edit

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the church as a national historical landmark in 1939.[5]

Today, the old church's ruined walls are still visible. In addition, the kiln that was used to produce the bricks for the church is still standing.[6] Between the church ruins and the kiln, the current Camalaniugan Church is located, as well as a new belfry, built in 1998.[4]

Artifacts and Structures edit

Bell edit

The current Camalaniugan Church houses the oldest bell in the Philippines.[7] The bell was cast in 1595 with "Santa Maria de Binalatoca" inscribed.[8] It was believed to have come from the town of Binalatongan, presently known as San Carlos in Pangasinan.[9][10] It was brought to Camalaniugan when the town of Binalatongan was burned during the Palaris Revolt in the 18th century.[4]

Kiln edit

The kiln that was used to made bricks for rebuilding the church is still standing.[6] It was estimated to have been built in the 18th century.[4]

Gallery edit

Reference edit

  1. ^ a b History from the People: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, Mt. Province. National Historical Institute and Philippine National Historical Society. 1998. ISBN 978-971-538-124-6.
  2. ^ Survey Report on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Republic of the Philippines (PDF). Japan: Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage. 2014.
  3. ^ The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898: Volume XXX. BoD – Books on Demand. September 25, 2019. ISBN 978-3-7340-7763-0.
  4. ^ a b c d "Philippiniana Sacra ; Volume 54, Issue 0162 (May-August 2019)". ustdigitallibrary.contentdm.oclc.org. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Church of Camalaniugan | Registry". Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Salgado, Pedro V. (2002). Cagayan Valley and Eastern Cordillera, 1581-1898. Pedro V. Salgado, O.P. ISBN 978-971-23-3307-1.
  7. ^ The Philippines, Pearl of the Orient. Islas Filipinas Publishing Company. 1988.
  8. ^ "Old Sancta Maria Bell | Cagayan Tourism". Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Jose, Regalado Trota (1991). Simbahan: Church Art in Colonial Philippines, 1565-1898. Ayala Museum. ISBN 978-971-8851-13-5.
  10. ^ "San Carlos City". The Official Website of the Province of Pangasinan. Retrieved March 12, 2024.