Capiz is currently known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines,” but its famous churches and historic buildings have made it a popular place for tourists and Christian devotees to visit.

Because of the Spanish colonial period, 80% of the people in the Philippines are Catholic. This is why many of the churches archtitecture in the country have a Spanish influence. The Philippines has some of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Asia if not the world.

Capiz Historic Churches And Religious Sites

If you are looking for old churches and other religious sites, we can help. Here’s a list of churches or places of worship that are rich in history along with its unique architecture that are worth seeing during you’re stay in Capiz.

Christ The Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer statue on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s Corcovado Mountain is one of the popular tourists spots in the world. But you don’t need to take a plane and go half way around the world anymore to visit this famous tourist spot.

Patterned after Christ the Redeemer Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the statue was put up a few years ago, and its appearance along the National Highway between Roxas and Kalibo has been attracting a lot of tourists and motorists. The huge shrine is also not a long walk and it’s easy for tourists to visit.

Along the main part of the shrine, they also have a house where people could wait if it happens to rain or wait for the crowd to wait their turn before visiting the shrine. During Holy Week, the shrine has become one of the most visit places to visit in the province of Capiz.

The area around the shrine has a great view, with tall trees growing on top of the mountain’s hill top and rocky surface.

• Location: Malocloc Norte, Ivisan, Capiz
• Opening Hours: N/A

Sacred Heart of Jesus

This famous landmark is another spot you need to add to your travel bucket list. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is famous for its giant statue of Jesus Christ in Capiz. This 132-foot or 40 m monument built-in 2015 and is the tallest Jesus Christ statue in the Philippines.

It is said to be the third tallest Jesus statue in South East Asia and the fifth tallest in the world. The journey to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be pretty challenging since you need to drive on a rocky road until you reach the main road that will lead you directly to the church.

Once you reach the church, you can’t help but be in awe of the statue’s height and the panoramic view of the area. The beautiful background of the hills and the city below make it a popular spot for tourists and Christian devotees.

The church is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by 2023. Mass is presently being held outside the church. The best time to visit the statue would be during sunset and on weekdays.

• Location: Roxas City, Capiz
• Opening Hours: 8AM-4PM (everyday)

Santa Monica Parish (Panay Church)

St. Monica Church must be one of the most popular places of worship in Roxas. St. Monica Church is the oldest if not the the oldest and most beautiful churches in Capiz that was built during the Spanish colonial period. Most visitors would agree that it is the most beautiful and popular church in the province. It also houses the biggest Catholic church bell in Southeast Asia and currently third in the world.

A little bit of history about the Panay Church that the the first parish church was built around the same time, but a storm destroyed it in 1698. In 1774, coral blocks and stone were used to build a bigger church. When another strong storm hit the island in 1875, it was too much for this giant structure, and it was destroyed.

The style of the church today is a nice mix of Baroque and Neoclassical elements. It was built in 1884. Father. Jose Beloso, who was the parish priest at the time, oversaw the building.

The top level of Panay Church’s five-level belltower is where the famous Dakong Linganay is kept. It is the biggest and the heaviest Christian bell in the Philippines, and maybe even all of Asia. This unusually big bell is about 2 meters (7 feet) tall and 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide, and it weighs 10,400 kilograms (22,928 lbs).

People in the town gave over 70 sacks of coins to a worker named Juan Reina, who is believed to have used them to make Dakong Linganay. A replica of the bell is also next to the church for visitors who cannot reach the belltower due to its steep stairwell.

In 1997, the National Historical Institute of the Philippines named St. Monica Church, also known as the Panay or Pan-ay Church, a National Landmark.

• Location: Iloilo East Coast-Capiz Rd., Panay, Capiz
• Opening Hours: 8AM-4PM (everyday)

Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Roxas Cathedral)

The Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral is also popularly known as the Roxas Cathedral. The church has been around since 1707. This makes it one of the most impressive places of worship and one of the oldest in the province.

Today, the church is also one of the most well-known places in the province. The Roxas Cathedral is not like many Catholic buildings from the same time period. It is not full of religious symbols and is not overly decorated. However during special events, the church is decorated with night lights that glow throughout the night making it popular among the locals and tourists. Visitors can visit this church which is nearby the Manual Roxas Statue and Museum.

• Location: Arsobispo Street, Roxas City, Capiz
• Opening Hours: 24 Hours

St. Martin of Tours Parish

This might be a long drive but a must-add to your church travel bucket list. St Martin Tours Parish located in Dumalag was finished in 1872. The inside of the church is in the shape of a cross.

The church also has a five-story bell tower with five different-sized bells that were all made in 1881. The length of the church is around 200 feet and the width is 50 feet.

The walls are also made of yellow rock and are 3 feet thick which got the curiosity of the visitors. It has two doors on the side and one main opening in front. Also on the sides, these are small supports.

Small towers decorate the front of the building. The church is one most of the popular tourist spots for Christian devotees in Dumalag.

• Location: Old Iloilo-Capiz Road, Poblacion, Dumalag
• Opening Hours: 8AM-5PM (everyday)

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Meditation Hills

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Meditation Hills is another popular place for catholics, tourists and yuppies. It is almost similar to Kamay Ni Jesus in Lucban, Quezon Province It was built in 2005, and the Villanueva Family owns it. The area around the Grotto is, in fact, a good place to meditate and pray. The place is so relaxing and quiet that you can easily hear the wind blowing and the birds chirping.

Our guide says that Atty. Jose O. Villanueva kept dreaming about this area, which led him to build the Grotto on top of giant blocks, rocks, and stones that seemed to have been put in place by an unknown force. It has a relaxing atmosphere with different places to sit along with umbrellas and shades made from materials found on the property

Visitors must visit the Grotto where in fact is a good place to meditate and pray. You can only hear the wind howling along with the rushing sound of waterfalls since there is complete silence with few people around. The entire hills is surrounded by trees and grass.

Since the landmark is a place of worship; there are signs that remind the public that no forms of affection and love is allowed inside the property. The Meditation Hills is easily accessible to all kinds of transportation can get you there.

• Location: Sitio Bangkal, Barangay Maninang, Sapian, Capiz.
• Opening Hours: 8AM-4PM (everyday)