Cagsawa Church

Situated in Albay, Cagsawa Ruins is a historical landmark that serves as the centerpiece
of the Cagsawa Ruins Park where tourists can enjoy the scenic view of Mayon Volcano. The ruins
also stood as an image of Bicol region’s magnificent landscape for almost two centuries.

The Cagsawa church was built after 1724 by the Franciscan friars and was administered
by Fray Francisco Blanco in the small town of Cagsawa. It was originally built to replace a church
that was erected in 1636 that had been destroyed by Dutch pirates.

On February 1, 1814, the greatest tragedy happened in Cagsawa and it was the eruption
of Mayon Volcano. The eruption buried the small town and nearby areas killing an estimated of
1, 200 people who took refuge in the stone church. It was the strongest eruption recorded to
date. Sadly, all the people who took refuge were buried under the pyroclastic flows and lahar that
engulfed the church. Only the Cagsawa belfry remained as a grim reminder of the devastating
catastrophe that happened in the place.
St. Gregory the Great Cathedral

The stone church of San Gregorio Magno in Albay dates back to 1840. The parish as such,
however, was established in 1616 by Franciscan missionaries in the seaside village of Sawangan,
later called Albaybay, and then shortened to Albay.
St. Raphael Church

The original church was built in 1834 through the generosity of Pedro Romero. This church
was extensively damaged in the Second World War and has since been reconstructed to its
present form. This church has a unique attractions, the present St. Raphael Church is its altar
table made of a single block of solid hardened lava.
Daraga Church

Tucked away on peaceful hill in the town of Daraga lies an Old spanish colonial church
that is considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines. The Daraga Church in
Daraga Albay is also known as the Our lady of the gate or the church of Nuestra Senora de la
Porteria

Built in 1773, Cagsawa found it as a temporary shelter as their church was buried under
the volcanic debris during the last eruption in 1814. This church is a true sign of crowning glory
when it comes to religious architectures that is located in Albay.
St. Agnes Academy

On 22 February 1921, the building was inaugurated and the school assumed a new
name: St Agnes' Academy. At the height of the liberation Efforts of the American forces, the
building was bombed on March 31, 1945. From 1946 to 1948, the school reconstructed its
damaged buildings. The school opened its doors to male students and continued to expand into
what it is today.
Sinimbahanan Ruins in Tiwi, Albay

Built in 1600`s.Made of Terracotta clay and its bell tower is made of pebbles and volcanic stones. In
Kagnipa, known today as Barangay Baybay, the dilapidated Sinimbahan, the remnant of the first
concrete house of worship built by the Franciscans led by the pastor of Malinao, Fray Pedro de
Brosas, remains to be the deaf witness of both the villagers' ready acceptance of the Christian faith
and their suffering of persecution at the hands of the Moslems; Christian missionaries called them
Moros. The parola by the shore of Sitio Nipa of the same barangay testifies to the people's
paralyzing fear of the Moros' capricious forays. The market site of the pueblo before these raids was
located in the present location of Baybay Elementary School. In order to sidetrack surprise attacks,
at least temporarily, the market site was transferred to southernmost part of now Brgy. Baybay;
henceforth, it was called Binanwaan. The transfer, however, was useless. Finally, to have enough
time to escape and keep themselves safer from their enemies' easy attacks, they moved the market
site and their settlement to the present poblacion now named as Barangay Tigbi. Before the Moro's
assaults, Brgy. Baybay was then the center of trade and commerce because of its easy accessibility
to marine transportation of goods from the islands of what are now known as Catanduanes, San
Miguel, Rapu-Rapu, and Batan, not to mention those from adjoining pueblos in the mainland of
Ibalon, now the province of Albay, and the Camarines.