Cagsawa Ruins - Albay

Located in the municipality of Daraga in the province of Albay, Cagsawa Ruins are the remnants of the Cagsaua Church that was destroyed by the eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1814.

Cagsawa Ruins

Cagsawa Ruins details

Cagsaua Church was built sometime in the 1720s under the supervision of Franciscan Friars. The church was said to be the replacement for the church that was burned by the Dutch in 1636.

Cagsawa Ruins - Daraga, Albay

Cagsawa Church NHI marker

Cagsaua Church was said to have been built with a baroque architectural design like most old churches in the country. The design was said to protect the structure from damages that could be done by earthquakes.

Cagsawa Church bell tower

However, given this "earthquake-proof" design, Cagsaua Church was not designed to withstand tons of ash and pyroclastic flow from Mayon Volcano. The 1814 eruption of the Mayon Volcano that killed an estimated 1200 people also spelled doom for the church. 

Ella with her tita Aya at the Cagsawa Church Ruins

Another part of the Cagsawa Church ruins

The story goes that hundreds of villagers sought refuge inside Cagsawa Church during the eruption. These people perished when they were trapped inside the church by the hot pyroclastic flow that would eventually swallow both man and church.

Team Nicerio visits Cagsawa Ruins

To date, only the belfry and the ruins of the convent remain. The ruins are now part of the Cagsawa Ruins Park.

Ruins of Cagsawa Church decades ago...

Cagsawa Ruins has a very picturesque backdrop

Since my dad is from Albay, I have the privilege of visiting the ruins every time we go to the province. It's nice to see that the place is well maintained and taken care of by the park's management. However, what bothers me the most are the visitors who seem to have no care of this "national treasure". During one of my visits there, I saw one family leave behind a pile of trash after their picnic. Another one is a teen who stuck gum to the ruin of the convent.

Little Ella bonding with my sister Aya

My wife KC enjoyed her trip to the souvenir shops

I hope these visitors learn to value what's truly theirs.

The Backpack Adventures visits Cagsawa Ruins
Cagsawa Ruins

Cagsawa Ruins Admission Fee:

The entrance fee to enter the Cagsawa Ruins grounds is P20 per adult and P10 per child. Aside from that, keep in mind that there would also be dozens if not hundreds of visitors there as well so visit on a weekday if you could. 

Cagsawa Ruins Opening Hours:

Cagsawa Ruins is open from 6AM to 6PM every day.

Why visit Cagsawa Ruins?

A visit to Albay won't be complete without visiting the Cagsawa Ruins. Cagsawa Ruins remains to be one of the most famous landmarks of Albay after the Mayon Volcano. Don't forget to buy some souvenirs in the souvenir shops. 

Getting to Cagsawa Ruins:


 From Manila, ride a bus heading to Legazpi City.  Tell the conductor to drop you off at the Cagsawa Junction it is already near  Cagsawa Ruins. Once you board down, you may choose to walk to the ruins or ride a tricycle.

 You may also choose to ride a plane going to Legazpi City International Airport. From there, you can ride a van or jeepney going to the ruins.

 Rating:
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Location: Daraga, Philippines

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