The UNESCO World Heritage Church of Sta. Maria Ilocos Sur

Located on a hill overlooking the town of Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur and surrounded by a defensive wall, the imposing Church on a hilltop can be reached via hill side steps or by a service road with entrance at the back of the brick structure designed to Augustinians to withstand earthquakes.

no lens wide enough for Tutubi to take a full frontal photo of Sta. Maria Church's facade so this one would do. tip: visit it in the early morning as the church is facing east or late afternoon
the interi0r of the church is unmistakeably baroque with the usual four gospel writers, pulpit and gold-leaf decorated retablo (tableau)

Original church structure by Augustinians as a chapel in 1769 with patron Our Lady of Assumption (Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion). The present stone and brick church was built in 1810 as stated on the NHI marker on the church facade. It's presently undergoing restoration and structural support repair to make it last for posterity.

massive buttresses line the church walls to support it in case of earthquakes

the church bell tower a few feet away from the main church structure

What makes Sta. Maria Church unique is that it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the four Baroque Churches of the Philippines (the three others are San Agustin Church Manila, Miag-ao Church in Iloilo and San Agustin Church (Paoay Church) in Ilocos Norte). The church has remarkable universal value that should be preserved for the benefit of mankind.

Sporting the earthquake baroque architecture distinguished by it's massive buttresses to withstand earthquakes common in the Philippines and a belfry separate from the main church so as not to "bang heads" with each other during temblors.

Tutubi intends to visit the other two UNESCO World Heritage Baroque Churches someday. He missed Paoay Church during his Ilocos tour in 2003 but will surely won't the next time