Right after my leisure trip around Pinaglabanan Shrine I came across this church - which reminds me of Castlevania with its old stone walls and bell towers. Situated along F. Blumentritt St., in San Juan City, the church is named "San Juan del Monte" and its proper name, Santuario del Santo Cristo.
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| There's no mistaking that almost-Renaissance architecture. |
Built in 1602 by the Dominicans, the church nowadays is still active, and flanked by two schools: the Dominican Montessori and Aquinas School.
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| Even the gates ring of "ancient" |
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| Center of the facade |
Some more historical points: the church wasn't originally a Catholic property, but part of an encomienda of a certain Captain Julian de Cuenca. The land was donated and used for the building of the structure, which soon included a convent and sanctuary.
Here are some shots of the commemorative plate:
More shots of the facade:
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| Picturesque it is! |
Inside the church: the traditional cross-shaped layout
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| Just magnificent. |
And one of the entrances to Aquinas school, which is attached to one wing of the church:
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| OK I am sorry if I made it look a bit scary :) |
I see this church during the few times I pass by that hill in San Juan but never got to visit it. Beautiful. Good to know about this. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading too! Please visit the area some time. That corner of San Juan, even with its proximity to Mandaluyong, is fairly quiet and good for touring around (except on school days- crowds abound!).
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