Batangas - The Well-preserved Spanish Colonial Town of Taal

After touring around the city of Batangas last January 17, 2011, we decided to visit the nearby heritage town of Taal. Roughly 1 hour away from Batangas City, a Lemery bound van took us to this well preserved Spanish colonial town.


Taal reigns as one of the most culturally preserved sites of the Spanish colonial era in our country. The town conforms to the common old town layout of having the town plaza surrounded by the municipal hall, the church, schools and houses of renowned residents.

We got off at the town proper and started our walking tour. We went first to the public market and had our lunch. You can find here Taal's famous tapa, panutsa, piña fabric and embroideries perfect for gowns and barongs.

Then we proceeded to the Taal Park to take a rest before we enter the Taal Basilica.


Found at the heart of Taal, the Taal Basilica is dedicated to St. Martin of Tours. Measuring about ninety six meters long and forty five meters wide, it is said to be the biggest Catholic church in Asia.



With a unique architectural design, the spanish influences are manifested through its interiors and antique details as seen in its altar.



In front of the basilica is the Taal Municipal Hall built during the Spanish colonial period. The year inscripted in its facade is the year the town was officially founded by the Agustinians in 1572. In front of it is a small park and a statue of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.



Scattered around town are several heritage houses with history boasting of revolutionary passion. Most of the two-storey structures or Bahay na Bato are typically made of stone on the ground floor and wooden materials on the second level. Features of the houses include huge capiz windows, grand staircases, elegant furnitures that depicts the illustrous lifestyles of the residents back then. I will create a separate post on this later.




Aside from historical houses and churches, Taal is also known for “balisong”. We had a quick stop at Brgy Balisong to buy some of this well known Batangas fan knife.

This trip to Taal Batangas happened last January 17-18, 2011. Here is a series of posts on our trip to one of the most well-preserved Spanish colonial town in our country. Discover the places we've been to, the people we met, the food we tasted and the experience we gained as we unravel the magnificence of this old town. The Well-preserved Spanish Colonial Town of Taal | The Heritage Houses of Taal | Casa Punzalan, A Blast from the Past! | The Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine and Sacred Well of Sta. Lucia in Taal