Daraga Church

Daraga Church - Albay

July 27, 2014

Located in Santa Maria Street in the municipality of Daraga in the province of Albay, Daraga Church is the crowning glory of religious architecture in Albay.

Daraga Church

Daraga Church History

Daraga Church is also known as the Our Lady of the Gate Church. It was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum on October 29, 2007.

Daraga Church - Daraga, Albay

Daraga Church NHI marker

Daraga Church facade

Daraga Church bell tower

Team Nicerio visits Daraga Church

Daraga Church was built by Franciscan missionaries in Daraga which was then a barrio of the older town of Cagsawa. However, after Mayon Volcano's 1814 eruption which buried the majority of the town of Cagsawa, survivors relocated to Daraga. The barrio was then formally organized as a town in 1815. Afterward, the town became the center of trade and commerce in the province of Albay.

A view of Mayon from inside Daraga Church

Daraga Church interior

Daraga Church baptismal area

Daraga Church altar

Daraga Church - Saint's Hall

Daraga Church is described as having a blend of Renaissance Gothic and Mexican baroque. Its most famous feature, the facade, is carefully carved from volcanic stones. The facade was intrinsically designed and decorated, as a matter of fact, it has features like spiral columns with medallions. Each of these columns bears images of four Evangelists. aside from that, you'd see the coat of arms of the Franciscan order and the image of the Our Lady of the Gate. Like the facade, the bell tower is also made from volcanic rocks.

Daraga Church - Our Lady of the Gate Parish

What I like about Daraga Church is its picturesque nature. I'd like to put it this way... Whenever I take pictures of the church it's like hitting two birds with one stone. What I mean by this is that aside from the beautiful architectural design of the church, I also get to take a landscape picture of Mayon's almost perfect cone -all in one picture.

Daraga Church

If you want to experience this "dramatic shot", visit Daraga Church early in the morning. preferably in summer, when there are only a few clouds that cover the volcano.

The Backpack Adventures visits Daraga Church

Daraga Church Entrance Fee

It's FREE to enter Daraga Church and explore its grounds.

Daraga Church Mass Schedule

Monday - Saturday: 6:15-7:15AM / 5:30-6:30PM

Sunday: 5-6AM / 6:30-7:30AM / 8-9AM / 5:30-6:30PM / 7-8PM

Why visit Daraga Church?

Daraga Church is one of the Spanish colonial-era churches in Albay. It is also one of the places where you can view the majestic Mayon Volcano. Daraga Church is a perfect destination for pilgrimages and Visita Iglesias.

Getting to Daraga Church:

Ride a bus heading to Legazpi City. Inform the conductor to drop you off at Daraga near the church. Once there, you can either walk up the church or ride a tricycle.

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