Places to Visit in Batanes Philippines (Part 2)

In my last post about the things to do and places to visit in Batanes, I included the following locations:
1. Manila Domestic Airport
2. Basco Batanes Airport
3. Abandoned Weather Station of PAGASA - DOST
4. Mahatao View Deck
5. Honesty Coffee Shop

If you want to view that, check this post out:
http://cheftonio.blogspot.com/2010/12/where-to-go-in-batanes-things-to-do-in.html

For this post, I will be blogging about the ff places in Batanes (Batan Island):
1. San Carlos Borromeo Church / Mahatao Church
2. Oldest house using tiled roof in Batanes
3. House of Dakay - a UNESCO heritage building
4. Ivana Church
5. Da Insulares Souvenir Shop

San Carlos Borromeo Church

San Carlos Borromeo Church & Convent was declared a National Cultural Heritage Treasure on July 31, 2001 by the National Commission For Culture and the Arts. Justification for this title is written on the church marker: "Because of its beauty and excellent state of preservation and maintenance by the parishioners".

From its modest beginnings as a small chapel built with light indigenous materials in 1787, it was rebuilt into a modest-sized stone church in 1798. The very first stone church was however razed by a strong typhoon in 1872. It was only in 1873 that a beautiful church with baroque style was built on the same site, and its cogon roof was changed into galvanized iron only in the 20th century. (Source)

The Ten Commandments in Ivatan Dialect

Facade of the Mahato Church, A Unesco heritage badged church

Inside the church of San Carlos Borromeo (Mahatao Church)

Oldest Tiled Roof House in Batanes
This has withstood numerous strong typhoons. According to our tour guide, this is the oldest house using tiled-roof.

House of Dakay

The House of Dakay is the oldest surviving house in the town of San Jose de Ivana in Batan Island. It is a traditional structure with thick walls made of stone and lime and with a roof thatched with cogon grass. Named after the family that owned it, it is known as Vahay ni Dakay in Ivatan. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Building.

House of Dakay

Ivana Church

Standing on an elevated land fronting the Ivana Seaport is the Ivana Church a.k.a. San Jose Obrero Church a.k.a. St, Joseph The Worker Church.

The very first chapel was built in 1787, followed by the construction of a stone church in 1795. Among all the old churches in Batanes, it stands out as the only one not built in the espadana style. It also has a fortress-like bell tower. The belfry was built from 1814 to 1817. On a historical note, the Filipino Rebels ("Katipuneros") were said to have raised the Katipunan Flag on the bell tower. (Source)

Ivana Church - Just across the Honesty Coffee Shop in Batan Island

Da Insulares Souvenir Shop
For your souvenir needs, visit Da Insulares Souvenir Shop in Batanes. They have 2 branches. One in the city proper and another right outside the airport. Be aware that there are price differences when purchasing in the said shops. The airport branch is more expensive.

A funny thing happened to us. A day before leaving, we went to buy souvenirs from her shop. She was a nice accommodating lady who welcomed us warmly into her shop. Guess what... next day prior to leaving Batanes, she was the baggage checker at the airport! haha! Just sharing.

Da Insulares Souvenir Shop (Airport Branch)

For more posts about Batanes, stay tuned. Better yet, subscribe to my blog to get all the updates! :)

Cheftonio