LET'S EXPLORE BACARRA

ST. ANDREW CHURCH

Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish, commonly known as Bacarra Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in the municipality of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Laoag. Founded in 1593 by Augustinian friars, the church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. Its key feature is its domeless, leaning bell tower located just meters from the church.

The Augustinians founded the town of Bacarra on September 18, 1590, and began their missionary activity on land owned by a chieftain the Spaniards named Castillo and a certain Andres Hermosa.^[4][5] Baccara was established as a mission center for the Apayaos.^[4] The Augustinian mission was run by two priests serving a population of 4,000.^[5] The church and an adjoining convent were established in 1593^[2] on the site where an Igorot named Bacsalandoc, first settler of the town and chieftain, had erected his hut.^[5] The church site is now located in the center of town.

- Roxanne Jeralyn Princess Andres

BACARRA BELL TOWER

The Bell Tower in Bacarra. Built in 1828, it was 50 meters high, 16 meters in diameter at the base and slowly narrows towards the peak. Its top is adorned by an ornate brass bell. The townspeople have affectionately considered the tower their most precious heritage. An earthquake in 1931 damaged it and made it lean on its side.

The people there have since called it the Bowing Bell Tower of Bacarra, while visitors call it the Leaning Tower of the North. After another earthquake in 1983, the tower collapsed, leaving only the flattened top. It has since been named a national cultural treasure.

- Mark Jansen Galinggana