Carcar, although considered a newbie, as far as cityhood is concerned, is one of the oldest places in the Philippines. Situated some 45 kilometers from Cebu City, Carcar was the center of industry, commerce, and religion in the South during the Spanish regime. Carcar was basically a recreation of a Spanish cuidad, containing all components like the rotunda and the concept of pueblo. Following the pueblo system, the church being the center of all activities, all important structures [plaza, school, government offices, market, cemetery] are situated around the church. Carcar City is one rich example of the tradition left behind by the Spaniards.
Statues guarding the compound of the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria
Church interior. Awesome retablo.
Intricate designs on the ceiling.
Common sights in old churches include:
- Crypts or burial chambers in church pillars, basement, and walls.
- Awesome floorworks which usually match the intricate ceiling designs.
- Two-way confessionals
- Ceiling-to-floor windows
- Side altars and retablos
- and Wooden pews.
The main altar.
Side entrance
Main facade of the church
One of the many statues
The other side of the church
Another statue
Main entrance [screen just recently installed]
Church candle vendor
Another angle
Statue of St. Catherine
Statue and the church
An old house [probably an office] just outside the church.
Wow, lovely church! Me & my cousins had a run in with the priest, he refused to give us the eucharist because we were chewing gums, it was necessary to cover up the alcohol smell! We were evil then! LOL
I like that pic of a candle vendor
the main altar is so attractive w/ the red carpet,
the veranda in the heritage house is nice,
St. Catherine, have mercy on us…
it is sad to take not that as time passes by this old church is deteriorating.. alot of changes has been made not taking into consideration the historical significance and architecural details. please save this vanishing treasure.
The house on the last photo is beautiful. I’m curious what the inside looks like. I hope they have preserved the architectural integrity of the interior. I also hope these beautiful photos will encourage readers to explore Carcar. It’s a shame if, like me, people associate the town (or is it now a city?) with ampao only instead of its beautiful cultural heritage.
The last picture is not a house but an old hospital. At the back of that same structure is an integrated old public swimming pool.
great pictures
kalain…la jd apili’g piktyor sa St. Catherine’s College ai? naa rmn ‘ta na sa tpad sa simbahan! hmmp, ‘ge nlang oi gaan chnce…dili ka catherinians noh??? hAHAHA
very nice pics though!
la man lagi ang balay sa tisa ana? bitaw nagkaguapo na jud ang carcar karon. unya u dont need to go 2 the city para mag grocery or shopping kay nana say gaisano-kulang nalang sm unya apilan sag park mall ug IT Park bonga na!!
But still the same associated ghapon sila sa ampaw ug chicharon which is quite unfair coz i think they really have loys of old houses na guapo gihapon tan awon. and not to mention the church-mura kog natransported sa europe!
its nice to be in carcar…… ari unya mo mga guys sa among lugar…. nice na kau jud ni dapita
Dili jud ma waste inyo time if moari mo og carcar kay one of the most historical place baya ang carcar….come ang visit our place….which surely you will be satisfied with the thinngs and views you will see….see you soon…
Maybe in the old days it was a Hospital but now it’s a Library and a Museum.
Greetings Freek
I have an old picture of this Hospital of the back-side.
If you want to have it?!
Just let me know.
Freel
sure. can you please email it to me? thanks
Hello Leylander;
Can you gif me your e-mail address?
Greetings Freek from The Netherlands
hi freek. it’s leylander[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]ph
the statue infront of the church is not of Saint Catherine but thAt of Cristo Rey. Before, during the feast of King of Kings, mass will be held infront of this monument(it used to have stairs going up to the platform and walkway that allows people to go around the monument from the platform). tghose feature of this monument was demolished during the time of monsignor camomot, maybe because teenagers made the place a hideaway especially at night time. The building in between the city hall (present) and that of saint catherine’s school is the dipensary
Great pix… i wish u too pictures of my alma mater too.. its St. Catherine’s College
and the last photo was not a house… it was a dispensary… well, thanks anyway for including carcar in your photoblog
looking forward to more of your photos 