Barcelona in the province of Sorsogon is located at 631 KM south of Manila. It is said that the place was called Barcelona because homesick Spaniards find its topography similar to Barcelona of Spain. A charming town known for the century-old Barcelona Church dedicated to St. Joseph, considered as one of Bicol region's oldest churches.
Built in 1874 by a Spanish friar from the Franciscan order, it is perhaps the most well-preserved church in the entire province. It was constructed with slabs of stones taken from the sea and were put together using egg whites mixed with lime and tuba (coconut wine). Though it already gone through some restorations, the original walls including the bell tower are still relatively intact.
The interior is quite typical of most old churches in the provinces. But what caught my attention are the beautifully installed stained glass windows.
After asking for permission from someone cleaning inside the church. I went up the bell tower so I could have a better view of the surroundings. Unfortunately, the passage to the bell is locked. So, I just went down.
The surroundings are well kept. I even saw some parishioners cleaning and maintaining the grass on the church's compound.
In front of the church, across the street and facing the sea are the ruins of stone structures known as the Casa Tribunal, Baluarte and School. The area now serves as playground and park to locals.
I highly recommend that you include this in your itinerary when you visit the province of Sorsogon.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Sorsogon City, take a jeepney bound for Gubat. Travel time is about 45 minutes, fare is 10 pesos. From there, you must take a jeepney to Barcelona. Travel time is about 15 minutes and fare is 8 pesos.
[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF HOTELS IN SORSOGON ]
This is part of my solo adventure in Sorsogon that happened last October 21-23, 2011. Sorsogon is the 43rd province on my list. It's my 12th solo trip and marks my 4th time to set foot on Bicol Region (Region 5). Join me as I discover the different sights I saw, places I've conquered and activities I did in this southernmost province of Luzon. | |
 Map By: Wikipedia |
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i so envy you :) hope ive done this when i was still single, well as they say, you really cant have it all! hope the younger generation would be inspired on your quests :)
ReplyDeletesosyal akala ko sa barcelona spain talaga.=)
ReplyDeleteWill check this out when we go to Bicol this April. Ang damiiiii mo ng napuntahan. I'm so inggit. Hehe
ReplyDeleteWhat day of week did you go there? It seems no one is there beside you. :)
ReplyDeleteNice to see the oldest of the oldest. :)
@McRICH - salamat po... hope I inspire more people to travel and see the different beautiful sights in our country... you can still do it naman po... travel with your family... it's a great way to bond.. salamat po... ^_^
ReplyDelete@chino - ahahaha!!! salamat po... ^_^
@Ryan - yeah... holy week ba? include it in your visita iglesia during holy week... dami ko pa din po di napupuntahan... hehehe! thanks po... :)
ReplyDelete@Glen - Saturday 'to kaya walang masyadong tao... around 8am i think.. tapos na ang misa... salamat po... :)
wah, namiss ko tuloy bigla ang sorsogon....ganda dyan tapos after naman mgphoto ops dyan...diretso kami rizal beach resort lapit na dyan un eh....tapos ang gamit lang namin is yung trike mobile namin....^_^
ReplyDelete@lakwatserong tatay - nakita ko nga yung trip nyo dyan... naku, di nako nakapunta ng rizal beach hehehe!!! nag jeep lang ako, paikot ng Sorsogon... hehe.. thanks Brian... :)
ReplyDeleteHow I wish sana makapunta ako sa church na yan! kuya mervz ang cute ng pic.ng ulap dun sa shot mo hehehe.. parang naka drawing yung ulap hehe... ^_^v
ReplyDelete