coming from the crowded Bantay Bell Tower, we visited this place.it's a place where one can really meditate and pray...it's so serene and quiet...as if you're transported to another world. quaint and lovelynot so much advertise unlike those attractions in Vigan...but one should really see this...
People visit Bantay for its belltower made popular in the 80s by movies like Ang Panday and Bata pa si Sabel. But the Church of St. Augustine also known as Bantay Church also has its miraculous Our Lady of Charity, its patroness. Generous donors composed of OFWs in Rome, Italy have greatly improved the parish. The indoor music being played constantly is actually an imitation of the Vatican's own chants and sounds. Their latest attraction is the old church ruins right beside the rectory and museum. They have finally uncovered a great piece of local history with original red brick and tiles which now comprise an outdoor chapel, perfect for some meditation and introspection.
Very old and the walls tell many stories. Very quiet, we sat here for a while and enjoyed the space. Its till in use today
We got to the place a little early so we had the privilege to "search" the whole place with privacy. No photobombs and it was so solemn as we pass through San Agustin Parish going to the art gallery.
This attraction is located next door to St Augustines Church Bantay and a short walk from Bantay Belltower . Chapel by the Ruins is the part of the church that was once damaged during World War II. It is an open air chapel.
Bell Tower worth the walk. Amazing view from an ancient structure and attached to a pretty special church
You wont be able to find this place out right away since it can only be seen when you exit from the Bell Tower. I met an old lady whom I haven't asked her name. She was so nice and kind enough to tour around and take pictures of me through the entire place. So calm and solemn. I wanna go back there longer next time.
Seeing these ruins make you feel nostalgic about our history. Some Filipinos might feel ashamed about what kind of culture we have but having a hybrid culture is something we have to be proud of. This place speaks a lot about our past and it's great to see a lot of "texture" in the place. A good opportunity for photography enthusiasts to produce good photos through the help of places such as this.
It's a chapel, so don't expect it to be grand. It has no roof, so if you're sensitive to heat or if the weather gets dark, do bring an umbrella. It's an actual chapel though, they maintain the pews and statues, it's just the structure of the chapel that makes it "chapel by the ruins".We visited during lunch so it was a bit hot, so I suggest coming here in the late afternoon. There is a mini garden (I forgot the name) right beside the chapel also.
Wenn man sich schon beim Bantay Bell Tower aufhält, lohnt ein Abstecher in diese zerstörte Kapelle, deren Dach zwar fehlt, aber, insbesondere nachmittags, sich eine lichtdurchflutete Atmosphäre breit macht, von Vogelgezwitscher begleitet entsteht eine eigenwillige Stimmung, ganz anders als die oft bedrückende Schwere von geschlossenen Gebäuden. Auf jeden Fall eine interessante Erfahrung, sofern sich der Andrang in Grenzen hält.