After heading to La Resurreccion Parish in Victoria Laguna, we went to our third and fourth locations, the Nationwide Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua in Pila, Laguna and the Immaculate Conception Parish in Santa Cruz respectively. I already blogged about these two church buildings from my 2019 Laguna pilgrimage tour so I may need to skip them for this new Laguna Church collection. Our fifth vacation spot is the San Bartolome Apostol Parish in Nagcarlan, Laguna. Nonetheless, earlier than heading to this church, we grabbed the chance to go to one of many city’s well-known historic landmarks, the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.
The chapel and hole partitions of Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery
The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery was declared a Nationwide Historic Landmark in 1973 (formally declared in 1982) and was additionally dubbed as the one Underground cemetery within the nation. It’s positioned in Barangay Bambang in Nagcarlan and was inbuilt 1845 below the supervision of Franciscan priest, Fr. Vicente Velloc. This 1 hectare of land served as a public burial website for the individuals of Nagcarlan whereas the underground chamber beneath the chapel was solely constructed for the Spanish friars. Ever because it was declared a nationwide historic landmark, no extra burials have been made within the cemetery.
The niches on partitions
The niches on the partitions of Paco Park Cemetery in Manila (very similar to Nagcarlan)
The round cemetery contains a complete of 240 apartment-type niches on the partitions (120 niches in either side of the chapel). The underground crypt, however, homes 36 further tombs for the Spanish friars. Apparently, the cemetery of Nagcarlan someway jogs my memory of the Paco Park and Cemetery in Manila. Each of that are round cemetery with hallowed partitions that served as niches. They’re additionally each traditionally important!
It’s mentioned that throughout the Philippine Revolution, the cemetery served as a gathering place of the revolutionary leaders of the Katipunan. Pedro Paterno and Gen. Severino Taiño of the “Maluningning” command held a gathering on the cemetery the place they deliberate the historic Pact of Biak-na-Bato in 1897 which passed off in San Miguel, Bulacan. Along with that, the underground cemetery additionally served as hideout for Filipino leaders throughout the Philippine–American Battle and of guerillas in World Battle II. You may inform that the cemetery has witnessed loads of historic occasions over time.
The façade of the Chapel
Pink Bricked Pathway resulting in the chapel
Just like the Paco Cemetery, the positioning can also be constructed with a chapel. It comes with a really stunning façade constructed with purple bricks much like the supplies used for San Bartolome Apostol Parish. In truth, the cemetery was constructed along with the development of the expanded St. Bartholomew Parish Church and rectory (which explains why each shares the identical supplies). The facade comes with empty niches that in all probability enshrined some saint statues earlier than. There’s a few small rose home windows and a bell on high of its pediment.
The San Bartolome Apostol Parish in Nagcarlan, positioned simply few meters away from the cemetery
The chapel comes with a easy inside with partitions exposing the previous work and designs. It comes with blue-pattern ceramic tile flooring. The wood altar enshrines the picture of Santo Sepulcro. The cemetery underwent renovations earlier than it was once more opened to the general public throughout the unveiling of the marker on October 24, 1981. The oldest tomb is dated 1886 whereas the final interment was in 1982 when it was formally declared as a Nationwide Historic Landmark.
The chapel’s inside with the picture of Santo Sepulcro within the altar
Positioned 15 ft beneath the chapel is the underground graveyard consisting of solely 36 tombs organized in 4 partitions. The crypt and chapel is linked by two flight of steps. There’s additionally an empty altar within the underground graveyard.
Entrance to the underground chamber
Outdated ceramic tile flooring
The underground tombs of Nagcarlan
The welcome arc and the outer partitions are additionally constructed with purple bricks and iron-grill gates. This results in a purple bricked pathway throughout a inexperienced area resulting in the cemetery chapel.
The doorway to Nagcarlan Cemetery
Historic Marker outdoors the cite
Whereas there’s actually nothing a lot to see on this place, Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery holds an incredible piece of historical past which makes this website value exploring.
Issues You Ought to Know earlier than visiting the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery
- There’s NO Entrance price in Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery however donations are extremely inspired for the positioning’s steady upkeep
- The place is open for everybody
- The working hours is each Tuesday to Sundays 8 AM to 4 PM
- Remember that this can be a cemetery so pay respect and don’t make enjoyable of the niches or the chapel.
- The place is now being managed by the NHCP (you possibly can go to their official FB web page right here: Museo ng Libingan sa Ilalim ng Lupa ng Nagcarlan)
The right way to get to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery
- In case you are coming from Manila, take a bus that’s certain to San Pablo Laguna. From there, journey a jeep certain to both Nagcarlan or Liliw. Inform the motive force to drop you off at Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.
This publish is a part of my Laguna Pilgrimage collection 2022: Be at liberty to verify the remainder of my entries right here:
Additionally be at liberty to go to my articles about these Laguna church buildings
Locations to go to in Laguna
Be at liberty to verify my VLOG about Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery (and please don’t neglect to subscribe)