Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Banza Church Ruins

While going to Magallanes from Butuan through the river route you can see this sight:

Photobucket

This is what is called the Banza church ruins (Banza- location of the ruin). According to Butuan tourism website, this used to be the most beautiful church in Mindanao until it got destroyed by Moro pirates in 1753. It was built in 1625 by Recollect Friars, and since its destruction- leaving only the bell tower, it is now dubbed as the "oldest ruin of a stone church in the entire island of Mindanao."

8 comments:

Lowell said...

Well, if the bell tower is any indication, the church itself must have, indeed, been beautiful.

Your photograph is beautiful!

So sad that people feel the need to destroy things! I don't think much as changed in that regard!

Chuck Pefley said...

Wonderful image today!

VP said...

Really a great image: the river and the tree encasing the old ruins of the church. Wonderful colors.

Layrayski said...

Thank you all for your comments! Those trees are what we call Baliti (Banyan) tree (that has a scary connotation in Philippine folklores).

Layrayski said...

Jacob-- it is sad, isn't it? *Sigh*

Photo Cache said...

fascinating information. the tower looks like a kiosk now.

witsandnuts said...

Postcard material. The tree appealed much to me.

Layrayski said...

photo cache-- thats funny =)

witsandnuts-- I have another tree that I will post soon. stay tuned! =)

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