🕍 Alburquerque Church: A Quiet Gem Along the Bohol Heritage Trail

⛪ A Heritage Stop Between Carmen and Baclayon

We were en route from Carmen (after seeing the Chocolate Hills) to Baclayon Church when I caught a glimpse of this serene old structure. Curious, I asked our driver to pull over—just for a few minutes—and I'm so glad we did.

This was Alburquerque Church, also known as Santa Monica Parish Church.

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🏛️ A Church with Cultural Recognition

This church might not be as popular as Baclayon or Loboc, but it holds its own historical weight:

• 🏅 Declared as an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2013
• 🏛️ Declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 2014

Unfortunately, just days after its recognition, it was partially damaged by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Bohol on October 15, 2013.

When I returned to Bohol in October 2016, the church had already been restored. It looked calm and dignified, though eerily quiet on a weekday—almost abandoned except for a few visitors taking photos, like me.

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🕯️ Architectural and Artistic Highlights

Originally a visita of the Baclayon Church, Alburquerque Parish was established for those who couldn’t conveniently reach Baclayon. Today, it remains one of Bohol’s understated yet beautiful churches.

• 🕇 Cruciform in shape
• 🎶 Portico façade is actually the choir loft on the second floor
• 🖼️ The original retablo is gone, but two smaller neo-Gothic side altars remain at the transept ends
• 🎨 The ceiling was painted in 1932 by Ray Francia, a famed church artist whose signature is still visible near the choir loft
• 🧑‍🎨 Francia, along with Canuto Avila, also worked on other churches in Cebu and Bohol—their most beautiful collaboration being in Tubigon Church

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🌳 Historic Features & Surroundings

• The pillars inside the church are made of large tree trunks masked in metal sheets—some believe they date back to the original 1880 structure
• Outside the church is a wide open field, which gives the structure an imposing and elegant presence
• To the left of the church are two twin heritage buildings that served as the "escuela de niños", built in the 1880s

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🙏 It may not have the crowds or the fame, but Alburquerque Church deserves a spot on any Bohol heritage itinerary. It’s quiet, dignified, and full of stories waiting to be noticed. If you’re traveling from Carmen to Baclayon or Panglao, consider making a short stop here—even for just a photo and a moment of silence.

💬 “Sometimes, the most unassuming stops turn out to be the most memorable.”