The province of Batangas is thought for a few of the most lovely church buildings within the nation. As an illustration, it’s the dwelling of the Basilica of Saint Martin de Excursions, the most important Catholic church in Asia (Verify: Taal Basilica). We concluded our journey in Nasugbu by visiting one of the crucial well-liked marriage ceremony venues within the South, the Calaruega Eco Park. Visiting this place has been on my bucket checklist for fairly a while. I’ve tried to incorporate the positioning a number of occasions throughout my earlier Pilgrimages in Batangas however none of them managed to push by way of.
Lastly, i used to be in a position to get an opportunity to go to this well-known Eco Park in Nasugbu. In comparison with the previous and century-old church buildings in Batangas, Calaruega is comparatively new. The chapel and all the Eco Park was in-built 1995. The chapel is situated on a hilltop and getting there was a little bit of a problem (though there’s a shortcut that may take you straight to the chapel). Apparently, Calaruega is called after the birthplace of Saint Dominic de Guzman, the daddy of the Order of the Preachers (aka because the Dominicans). To honor his legacy, the Filipino Dominicans set up the Calaruega Eco Park with an try to in some way replicate the standard city of Calaruega in Spain.
Please be conscious that the Eco Park will not be freely accessible. There may be an Entrance payment of Php30 per head. There may be additionally a parking payment of Php20 for bikes and Php40 for 4-wheeled autos. The charges, after all, can be used to keep up the place. Though the place may be very a lot identified for the Transfiguration Chapel, the large Eco Park additionally gives a variety of worth-exploring locations that makes it preferrred not only for weddings but additionally for retreats and meditation. Guests can be given a leaflet to assist them navigate the eco park.
The Cenaculum
The Calaruega Eco Park is open for numerous actions reminiscent of Retreats, Recollections, workforce buildings, workshops, weddings, and receptions. In case you are merely on the lookout for a serene location or a fast escape from the town, this may very well be a super go-to place. If you will begin from the primary entrance, the primary place within the map is the so-called Fountain Compass which will be present in entrance of the Cenaculum which additionally serves because the Refectory.
The Fountain Compass
The Cenaculum/ Refectory
The fountain in entrance of the Cenaculum
A Nearer look of the Cenaculum
The facade of the cenaculum highlights a stained glass window with the picture of Saint Dominic De Guzman. There may be additionally a few statues close to the primary entrance, a small bell within the pediment, and a few pineapple finials on high of the pillars. Pineapple finials in Catholic Church buildings symbolize Jesus Christ – as a single pineapple plant provides its life for its fruit and dies, so Jesus our Lord gave his personal life for the salvation of all.
Lengthy cemented pathway that takes you to different sights in Calaruega Eco Park
The place is surrounded with bushes and decorative vegetation of various species.
Positively a sight to behold. Right here, you possibly can see a spectacular view of inexperienced fields. Calaruega Eco Park additionally overlooks the Mountain ranges of Mt Batulao.
The gorgeous view from Calaruega Eco Park
A stone stairway going to one of many cottages in Calaruega
Near Nature, Nearer to God
The Japanese Backyard
In all probability one of the crucial lovely sights in Calaruega Eco park is the Japanese Backyard. The place will be explored bridges and can be surrounded by luscious inexperienced backyard and a Koi pond.
Connecting Metal Bridge within the Japanese Backyard
Positively picture-worthy in each nook. It’s probably not shocking why this place has change into one of many well-liked marriage ceremony venues and prenup shoot locations. Do you know that the charges for using the Chapel alone will vary from 15k to 20k? That excludes using their marriage ceremony reception areas.
A well-maintained Koi pond
A lovely backyard certainly
The Hanging Bridge
One other well-liked attraction in Calaruega is the Hanging Bridge that leads you to the Tent Chapel of Transfiguration.
The Hanging Bridge of Calaruega Eco Park
The bridge results in the Tent chapel which can be surrounded by Native-inspired Stations of the Cross
Dominican Steps
To achieve the well-known Chapel of Transfiguration, it’s essential undergo the so-called Dominican Steps. It takes greater than 100 steps to succeed in the highest. It’s fairly exhausting so ensure you convey a bottle of water with you.
The Dominican Steps
Beautiful view of Pine bushes alongside the best way
Regardless of the problem, you’ll absolutely admire the view
Embracing the great thing about nature
Nearly there
As you attain the highest, the primary construction that may greet you is the statue of Our Woman of the Rosary.
Our Woman of the Rosary
The Transfiguration Chapel
The gorgeous chapel of Transfiguration of Calaruega Eco Park. The church is surrounded by a wonderful panorama backyard.
It contains a easy but lovely facade that resembles these castle-like construction in Burgos, Spain. The middle of the facade is of purple adobe bricks with a rose stained glass window with the brand of the Order of the Preachers
The pediment contains a small bell and a cross
The inside of the chapel is equally gorgeous. The altar options enormous stained glass home windows depicting the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ
The principle altar of Calaruega Chapel (Chapel of Transfiguration)
Issues You Ought to Know Earlier than Visiting the Calaruega Eco Park
- Entrance Charge (as of writing) is Php30/ head
- Parking payment Php20 (Motorbike)/ Php 40 (4 wheeled autos)
- Common Sunday Mass : 11AM held on the Transfiguration Chapel
- That is nonetheless a sacred place so make sure that to decorate appropriately.
- Caleruega Church is open every day from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm. Please notice of the break occasions from 12:00 nn to 01:00 pm (Monday-Saturday) and 10:30 am to 01:00 pm
The right way to Get to Calaruega Eco Park
- From Makati through SLEX (South Tremendous Freeway) take the Eton exit. Observe the TO TAGAYTAY indicators and switch proper after the Tagaytay Public Market in direction of the Tagaytay rotonda. Upon reaching the rotonda. Take the highway going to Nasugbu, Batangas.
- From Tagaytay: take the highway to Batangas till you attain the following city of Alfonso. Instantly after Alfonso is the city of Nasugbu. Go previous the “Welcome to batangas” signal. Drive on till you get to Evercrest the place you will notice, in your proper, a CALERUEGA signal pointing to the left. Take that highway on the left. You will note the doorway to Everecrest Lodge in your proper.
- Drive previous Evercrest, previous the Don Bosco Chapel on a Hill, till you get to a crossroads. Take the appropriate flip and drive till the top of the highway (earlier than you attain the top of the highway which is Caleruega, you will notice hillside lodging in your left). The highway stops on the entrance to Caleruega.
- Public Transportation:
Take any bus that passes via Tagaytay. These are buses destined for Nasugbu, Balayan, Lian, Tuy or Calatagan. Get off at Evercrest in Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas (the conductor can drop you there).Tricycle service is obtainable at Evercrest entrance.
Be happy to test all the opposite church buildings in Batangas that I already blogged about.
Different Locations to Go to in Batangas
Be happy to observe my Vlog under
