Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel of Tayabas | Ang Simbahan ng Tayabas MarkerMinor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel of Tayabas | Ang Simbahan ng Tayabas Marker is a National Cultural Treasure, National Museum; Marked Structure, NHCP; Registered Property, City of Tayabas located at Tayabas City, Quezon, Region IV-A.
The church at Tayabas is generally considered to be Baroque architecture. It is included in a list of more than 30 churches declared National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines.
The influence of Chinese architecture in Tayabas is present in the design of Tayabas Basilica. Lion statues in front of the building show a link to the influence of Chinese traders before the Spanish colonial era. Cherubs in stone reliefs playing the lute, trombone, drum and trumpet can be seen in the church patio. Its facade is almost eclectic, and was added during renovations to the church. The unusual three-storey arrangement of the facade includes has an entrance flanked by two niches in Mudejar style. The windows of the choir loft and the central window on the second floor have capiz shells. The levels are separated by horizontal bands and images of angels, and several saints including Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Dominic and Saint Diego of Alcala. On the topmost tier are stone-carved statues of archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
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One of the most beautiful, largest and with longest aisle old churches in the Philippines. Declared as National Cultural Treasure on July 31, 2001.
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Marker Text:
Ang Simbahan ng Tayabas
Ang unang simbahan na yari sa kawayan, nipa at anahaw ay ipinatayo ng mga prayleng Pransiskano noong 1585 sa ilalim ng patronato ni San Miguel Arkanghel. Ito ay muling ipinaayos ni San Juan Bautista noong 1590. Noong 1600 isang simbahang yari sa tisa ang ipinatayo subalit ito ay giniba ng lindol noong 1743. Nang sumunod na mga taon ang simbahan ay muling ipinagawa at pinalakihan. Ito ay higit pang pinalaki noong 1856 sa pamamagitan ng pagpapagawa ng transepto at kupola. Ang bubong na tisa ng transepto ay pinalitan ng galbanisadong yero noong 1894. Ang simbahang ito ay isa sa pinakamagandang simbahan sa Pilipinas.
Year Unveiled: 1978