Tayabas Basilica - Quezon

Located in Lopez Jaena Street in Tayabas City in the province of Quezon, Tayabas Basilica is the largest church in the province. It also boasts the 338-foot aisle which is the longest nave among all the Spanish colonial-era churches in the Philippines. 

Tayabas Basilica - Minor Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel

Tayabas Basilica History

Built sometime in 1580, Tayabas Basilica started out as a small open-air hut made of bamboo, cogon, and nipa. It could probably fit only thirty to forty individuals then. The church was then repaired in 1590 and was rebuilt using bricks in 1600. 

Tayabas Basilica - Tayabas, Quezon

Sadly, the church was destroyed by the 1743 earthquake but like most churches then, it was quickly rebuilt and expanded by the faithful locals of Tayabas. Further expansion to the church was made between 1856 and 1866 under the supervision of Father Benito de la Pila. 

Tayabas Basilica facade

Tayabas Basilica's seal

The town plaza in front of Tayabas Basilica

Tayabas Basilica NHI Marker

Tayabas Basilica became part of the history of the Philippine Revolution when Filipino forces led by General Vicente Lukban accepted the surrender of the Spanish army on the patio of the church on August 13, 1898. Decades later, during the Second World War, the church convent was used as a garrison by the Japanese Imperial Army before they were driven out by the returning American forces.

Tayabas Basilica interior

Tayabas Basilica Dome

Tayabas Basilica baptismal room

Tayabas Basilica altar

The church became a Minor Basilica when Pope John Paul II conferred the said title to it on October 18, 1988. Then on July 31, 2001, by virtue of Presidential Decree no. 374, Tayabas Basilica and 25 other churches in the Philippines were declared as National Cultural Treasures.

The nave of Tayabas Basilica

The organ on the choir loft

Tayabas Basilica generally has a Baroque architectural design. However, traces of Chinese architecture and influence like the lion statues in front of the building shows some of the said influence on the church structure. Due to the shape of the facade and the connected buildings, Tayabas Basilica is often referred to by locals as the "Susi ng Tayabas" or Key of Tayabas.

The old bell of Tayabas Basilica

The Tayabas Basilica bell is circa 1836

View from the belfry

The interior of Tayabas Basilica, on the other hand, was built in the Neo-Classical style. It has seven altars with the image of Nuestra Senora de los Angeles standing in the central retablo of the altar. 

The famed clock of Tayabas Basilica - the oldest and largest church clock in Asia.

Another notable feature of Tayabas Basilica is its belfry. Not because of any fancy design but due to the 18th-century clock installed in it. The clock is the oldest and largest church clocks in Asia. It stands 1.6 feet tall with a circumference of 1.38 feet. Its hour hand is 1.6 feet long while its minute hand measures 2.03 feet long. 

Angels of the patio

The basilica underwent major renovations and restoration in 2000 and another one in 2011. It was during the last restoration that solar panels were installed to provide power to the lightings of the facade making Tayabas Basilica the first Spanish Colonial era church in the Philippines to be solar-powered.

The side area going to the priest's lodging

The fountain

Tayabas Basilica = Ang Susi ng Tayabas

I got to visit Tayabas Basilica on the last day of the Experience Quezon 2016 Media Tour. During our visit, part of the left side area near the altar was being repaired. The museum was also closed. Luckily for me and a fellow media member, the area leading up to the belfry was open. We didn't miss the chance to head up the belfry and snap some pictures of the old bells and the town from a higher vantage point. 

The nave as seen from the choir loft

Overall, who wouldn't want to be married in a basilica with the longest nave. The bride would have the benefit of having a long bridal march and not to mention, plenty of time to ponder if her decision to marry is the right one. 

Tayabas Basilica Entrance Fee

It's FREE to enter Tayabas Basilica and explore it and its grounds.

Tayabas Basilica Mass Schedule:

Tayabas Basilica Mass Schedule from their FB Page.

Why visit Tayabas Basilica?

Tayabas Basilica is one of the largest and most beautiful Spanish colonial-era churches of the province of Quezon. It's worth visiting and worth seeing especially if you are Catholic. Tayabas Basilica is a must-include destination if you are planning to do a Visita Iglesia to the province of Quezon. 

Getting to Tayabas Basilica:

From Manila, Cubao, or Alabang ride a bus heading to Lucena Grand Terminal. From there, you can ride a jeepney or van heading to the town of Tayabas. When you reach Tayabas, you can just walk or ride a trike going to the basilica.

Ratings:

Pilgrims

Cleanliness

Overall rating