Silang is a quiet hilly area in the province of Cavite that remains a little off the beaten track. You won't find ritzy hotels here... oh no! Just a quiet town that still holds on to a glorious revolutionary past and a few remaining vestiges of Spanish colonial homes.
Centrally located in the poblacion or town square is the church dedicated to Our Lady of the Candles or Nuestra Senora dela Candelaria. The miraculous image is said to have been found in the mountains and that the image would always get lost. When it was transferred to its current site, it was then called La Anuncieta.
The church was first built by the Franciscans in 1585 through polo or forced labor. Under Spanish rule, adult males were conscripted to serve the government/church for two years without pay. The church was then rebuilt in wood by the Jesuits in 1603. It was damaged by an earthquake and rebuilt in stone under Father Juan Salazar from 1637 to 1639.
The church has a triangular pediment with an arched window at the center. The facade has two levels with an image of the Nstra. Sra. dela Candelaria on the center niche of the upper level and flanked by two rectangular windows. The entry way is located at the center with an arched walkway. The bell tower on the right is a four-storey structure adorned by arched windows and balustrades. One can even see the antique bells on the stone arches.
Silang is located 44 kms. south of Manila. One can take the Sta Elena exit along th South Luzon Expressway and take the winding roads that lead to Silang from the Sta. Elena Golf Club.
No comments:
Post a Comment