Santa Maria Church, Roman Catholic parish church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Santa Maria Church is a Roman Catholic parish church perched on a hilltop in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, marked by a freestanding bell tower and substantial buttresses made from locally sourced bricks. The structure spans roughly 99 meters long and 23 meters wide, combining robust construction with visible craftsmanship throughout.
Construction of the present church structure began in 1765, replacing an earlier chapel that served the community before. The freestanding bell tower was completed roughly 45 years later, marking separate stages in the site's gradual growth.
The church holds a wooden image of Our Lady of the Assumption, recovered from a Spanish shipwreck centuries ago and honored annually on August 15. This sacred object connects visitors to both religious devotion and maritime history deeply woven into local identity.
Reaching the church requires climbing 85 granite steps to the entrance, a steady ascent that takes a bit of effort. The building welcomes visitors daily and offers a quiet space for reflection at its elevated location.
The building displays Earthquake Baroque architecture with distinctive circular buttresses designed to provide extra stability during tremors. The floor features Baldosa tiles with intricately carved three-dimensional patterns that create a striking visual focus when you enter.
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