Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, Underground cemetery and chapel in Nagcarlan, Philippines.
Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery is a burial site featuring above-ground burial niches and an underground chapel with crypts. The grounds span roughly one hectare with 240 grave compartments arranged around the surface and 36 subterranean tombs beneath the chapel structure.
The cemetery was founded in 1845 by Franciscan priest Vicente Velloc and later served as a gathering place for revolutionaries during the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Its dual role as a burial ground and refuge made it historically significant in the region.
The cemetery shows how Spanish colonial traditions mixed with local burial customs, visible in its architecture and the way graves are organized.
The site is located roughly two hours from Manila and is open Tuesday through Sunday. There is no entrance fee, making a visit accessible to travelers with any budget.
The underground chambers feature stone steps carved into the rock, leading to a special crypt originally reserved for Spanish priests and prominent citizens. These spaces continued to be used for burials until 1983, reflecting their enduring role.
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