Photos outside Betis church in Guagua town, Pampanga. The church was close as well as the church museum when I dropped by last week (I thought churches do not close!). The owner of the furniture company I visited nearby told me that their church has picturesque interiors, with beautiful painted ceiling comparable to Sistine Chapel's ceiling and intricate wood carvings. Baroque-inspired Betis church was built in 1660 and was completed in 1770. Unfortunately, it was the museum's caretaker's day-off so I drove off without seeing the inside of the church. Betis is known for their woodcarvers and wood sculptors, with wood carving industry as the main source of livelihood. Religious images, frescoes, retablos, and ornate furniture are Betis artisans' expertise.Oh, not wordless after all.
Posted for Wordless Wednesday
A beautiful church which I'm sure when it's up keep it'll be even more beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteThe photos are very colorful, especially the blue skies. You also captured the church architecture with rich details. Great job!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting. When I saw the first photo, especially with the wide-angle effect, I thought it was a very modern church, maybe 1960s or later. But I was a read your description and then saw the remaining photos, I could tell it was something much older.
ReplyDeleteI stand in front of closed churches too but what made me really angry was in Italy they asked for an entrance fee to go in ! Of course I didn't ! i don't want to give money to the pope, he already has enough !
ReplyDeleteyour last sentence made me laugh, Gattina! i agree!:D
ReplyDeletethere was also an entrance fee at Westminster Abbey & St. Margaret's Church in London.:(
it's a very old church, catsynth. i hope to see the interior of the church one of these days.
ReplyDeletethank you, Dennis. :D
ReplyDeletehi, napaboaniya! i'm sure this church is well taken care of...people in Betis are very fond of their church.
ReplyDeleteI love the first photo!
ReplyDeleteAs Betis is known for woodcarvers, I am guessing there are a lot of intricate carvings inside. Sayang di mo na nakita sa loob!
great shots. i love old churches. =) happy ww!
ReplyDeletea {GIRL for all status
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The outside is certainly classic Baroque, what a shame you weren't able to see the inside.
ReplyDeleteI like old churches because of their architecture and mostly, of their historical significance. I hope you can post the interior pics of the church soon:)
ReplyDeleteThe reason there are entrance fees for these beautiful places it that it costs a fortune to maintain structures that are centuries old. Perhaps the snarky comments would be better off left to another forum? As for the photos and the interesting info included about the church, they are lovely and I appreciate hearing the description since you weren't able to photograph the interior.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice day to wander around all that wonder. Happy WW!
ReplyDeleteEntrance fee or not, light a candle, say a prayer or make a wish, greet the patron saint and leave a donation.
ReplyDeleteseldom free.
ReplyDelete