Paoay Church

Paoay Church, also referred to as Saint Augustine Church, is an icon not only in the municipality of Paoay where it is located but also in the whole Ilocos Region.

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OVERVIEW

Paoay Church After Restoration | Image Source

Constructed from 1694 to 1710, this imposing structure is of earthquake Baroque architecture. It is reinforced with 24 huge buttresses to protect the church from destruction caused by earthquakes common in the Philippines being located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The lower part of the walls is made of coral stones while the upper part is of bricks. The facade, on the other hand, is made of brick on the lower level and coral stones on the upper level.

The pagoda-like three-storey bell tower, which is also made of coral stones, stands separately on the right side of the church building. The tower was used as an observational post by Filipinos during the Spanish era and World War II.

Major structural repairs, restoration, and conservation efforts have been done to several parts of the church in order to maintain its structural integrity.

The church was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine Government and as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Fast Facts

Attraction:

Paoay Church

Type of Attraction:

Cultural attractions

Address:

Marcos Ave., Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Website:

Facebook Page

Phone:

+63 961 663 9874

Hours:

Anytime of the day

Closed:

None

Best Time to Visit:

Anytime

Food & Drink:

FREE WiFi:

Cost:

FREE

Payment Type:

(Not Applicable)

Fees:

Entrance to the church is free of charge.

Notes:

Observe proper health protocol to avoid the spread of Covid.

Wear comfortable footwear good for a lot of walking.

Wear comfortable and decent clothing as you will be visiting a church.

Avoid wandering around the church when there’s a mass going on.

MAP

This attraction is located on Luzon Island in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

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How to Get to Paoay Church?

From Manila by Bus

From Cubao or Sampaloc, ride a bus to Laoag. Buses plying this route include Partas Bus, Florida Bus, and Fariñas Transit. Travel time is approximately 8 hours depending on the traffic conditions.
From Laoag, ride a jeepney to Paoay. Travel time is around 30 minutes.

From Manila by Plane

Book a direct flight from Manila to Laoag. Philippine Airlines has at least one trip everyday from Manila to Laoag. Travel time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
From Laoag, ride a jeepney to Paoay. Travel time is around 30 minutes.