CEBU | Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church at Danao City

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Danao Church in Cebu

Before pushing on to Camotes Island, we passed a stone church off Cebu’s Central Nautical Highway. Our necks craned as our van zoomed pass it. Framed by an empty plaza and white balustrades, the massive Danao City Church looms over the sparkling waters of Camotes Sea.

It was just too bad that we have no more time to check out it out since we were hurrying to catch the ferry to Camotes Island. I made it a point to visit the church the moment my soles made contact with mainland Cebu again.

Cebu's Danao Church Entrance FacadeThe sun was scorching the concrete streets of Danao City as I approached the squat façade of the church. The heat was unbearable.

The Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church was built in 1755 and is constructed of cut coral stones which is a common building material for churches near coastal areas during that period. The architecture has hints of Romanesque architecture with a central rose window, faux columns and arched openings. Six white-painted angels guard the exterior of the church.

Danao Church's Octagonal BelfryConnected on the right side of the church stands a four-level, eight-sided belfry. It houses three bells named after saints; the San Alipio bell, the Villanueva bell and the Sagrado Corazon bell. The tower is pierced by small rounded openings, two semicircular and a rectangular window.

Danao Church's Interesting CeilingThe coral stone façade fades into a coat of white paint as one enters the interior. Its pitched roof is lined with exposed beams that form an interesting pattern over the ceiling. It terminates at the church’s transept crossing where the underside of its graceful dome is located.

Interior of Danao ChurchWooden balustrades run the entire length of the cruciform body of the church giving interesting contrast with its white walls. The retablo however is a typical golden affair with saints and a crucifix that’s found on almost every house of worship in the Philippines.

Church Bench Details in Danao ChurchIntricately carved wooden pews can still be seen at the church interior; probably a remnant from the destruction it sustained from the Second World War. It’s something I have never really seen from any other churches I’ve visited.

Cebu's Danao City ChurchThe Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Danao City is an interesting stop if you’re travelling north of Cebu. I’m glad I decided to brave the sweltering heat of the midday sun and drop by the church after missing my chance the first time I saw it through the window of a speeding van.


Danao Location Map

Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church
Address: Central Nautical Highway, Poblacion,
Danao City, Cebu
Telephone: (032) 200-3076 ‎

GPS Coordinates: 10.520546,124.028519
View Location on Google Maps: Click Here

You Might Also Like

10 comments

  1. Replies
    1. Indeed bro, Cebu is really known for its beautiful churches

      Delete
  2. yeah, it looks like a cool church. the outside looks old and antique, but the inside looks modern, clean and almost new, but quite spacious.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I also love taking side trips to old churches, it's always a refreshing stop specially on a quick getaway. I always thought they are all the same until a few years when I started traveling, I learned that churches have their own unique character - like a reflection of its old parishioners.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah I guess so, haven't really thought of it that way before :)

      Delete
  4. wow. i have been to danao but i ignore going here. ang ganda pala!and you really take good shoots :)

    ReplyDelete