The province of Batangas is understood for among the most lovely church buildings within the nation. As an illustration, it’s the dwelling of the Basilica of Saint Martin de Excursions, the most important Catholic church in Asia (Test: Taal Basilica). We concluded our journey in Nasugbu by visiting one of the crucial fashionable marriage ceremony venues within the South, the Calaruega Eco Park. Visiting this place has been on my bucket checklist for fairly a while. I’ve tried to incorporate the location a number of occasions throughout my earlier Pilgrimages in Batangas however none of them managed to push by.
Lastly, i used to be in a position to get an opportunity to go to this well-known Eco Park in Nasugbu. In comparison with the outdated and century-old church buildings in Batangas, Calaruega is comparatively new. The chapel and the whole Eco Park was in-built 1995. The chapel is positioned on a hilltop and getting there was a little bit of a problem (though there’s a shortcut that can take you straight to the chapel). Curiously, Calaruega is called after the birthplace of Saint Dominic de Guzman, the daddy of the Order of the Preachers (aka because the Dominicans). To honor his legacy, the Filipino Dominicans set up the Calaruega Eco Park with an try to someway replicate the common-or-garden city of Calaruega in Spain.
Please be conscious that the Eco Park shouldn’t be freely accessible. There may be an Entrance payment of Php30 per head. There may be additionally a parking payment of Php20 for bikes and Php40 for 4-wheeled automobiles. The charges, after all, will probably be used to keep up the place. Though the place may be very a lot recognized for the Transfiguration Chapel, the massive Eco Park additionally provides a whole lot of worth-exploring locations that makes it excellent not only for weddings but additionally for retreats and meditation. Guests will probably be given a leaflet to assist them navigate the eco park.
The Cenaculum
The Calaruega Eco Park is open for numerous actions corresponding to Retreats, Recollections, workforce buildings, workshops, weddings, and receptions. In case you are merely searching for a serene location or a fast escape from the town, this could possibly be a really perfect go-to place. If you’re going to begin from the primary entrance, the primary place within the map is the so-called Fountain Compass which could be present in entrance of the Cenaculum which additionally serves because the Refectory.
The Fountain Compass
The Cenaculum/ Refectory
The fountain in entrance of the Cenaculum
A Nearer look of the Cenaculum
The facade of the cenaculum highlights a stained glass window with the picture of Saint Dominic De Guzman. There may be additionally a few statues close to the primary entrance, a small bell within the pediment, and a few pineapple finials on high of the pillars. Pineapple finials in Catholic Church buildings symbolize Jesus Christ – as a single pineapple plant provides its life for its fruit and dies, so Jesus our Lord gave his personal life for the salvation of all.
Lengthy cemented pathway that takes you to different points of interest in Calaruega Eco Park
The place is surrounded with timber and decorative crops of various species.
Positively a sight to behold. Right here, you may see a spectacular view of inexperienced fields. Calaruega Eco Park additionally overlooks the Mountain ranges of Mt Batulao.
The gorgeous view from Calaruega Eco Park
A stone stairway going to one of many cottages in Calaruega
Near Nature, Nearer to God
The Japanese Backyard
Most likely one of the crucial lovely points of interest in Calaruega Eco park is the Japanese Backyard. The place could be explored bridges and can be surrounded by luscious inexperienced backyard and a Koi pond.
Connecting Metal Bridge within the Japanese Backyard
Positively picture-worthy in each nook. It’s not likely shocking why this place has turn into one of many fashionable marriage ceremony venues and prenup shoot locations. Do you know that the charges for using the Chapel alone will vary from 15k to 20k? That excludes using their marriage ceremony reception areas.
A well-maintained Koi pond
A fantastic backyard certainly
The Hanging Bridge
One other fashionable attraction in Calaruega is the Hanging Bridge that leads you to the Tent Chapel of Transfiguration.
The Hanging Bridge of Calaruega Eco Park
The bridge results in the Tent chapel which can be surrounded by Native-inspired Stations of the Cross
Dominican Steps
To achieve the well-known Chapel of Transfiguration, you have to undergo the so-called Dominican Steps. It takes greater than 100 steps to succeed in the highest. It’s fairly exhausting so be sure to convey a bottle of water with you.
The Dominican Steps
Beautiful view of Pine timber alongside the way in which
Regardless of the problem, you’ll certainly recognize the view
Embracing the fantastic thing about nature
Nearly there
As you attain the highest, the primary construction that can greet you is the statue of Our Girl of the Rosary.
Our Girl of the Rosary
The Transfiguration Chapel
The gorgeous chapel of Transfiguration of Calaruega Eco Park. The church is surrounded by a ravishing panorama backyard.
It contains a easy but lovely facade that resembles these castle-like construction in Burgos, Spain. The middle of the facade is of purple adobe bricks with a rose stained glass window with the brand of the Order of the Preachers
The pediment contains a small bell and a cross
The inside of the chapel is equally gorgeous. The altar options enormous stained glass home windows depicting the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ
The primary altar of Calaruega Chapel (Chapel of Transfiguration)
Issues You Ought to Know Earlier than Visiting the Calaruega Eco Park
- Entrance Charge (as of writing) is Php30/ head
- Parking payment Php20 (Bike)/ Php 40 (4 wheeled automobiles)
- Common Sunday Mass : 11AM held on the Transfiguration Chapel
- That is nonetheless a sacred place so ensure to decorate appropriately.
- Caleruega Church is open every day from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm. Please word of the break occasions from 12:00 nn to 01:00 pm (Monday-Saturday) and 10:30 am to 01:00 pm
How one can Get to Calaruega Eco Park
- From Makati by way of SLEX (South Tremendous Freeway) take the Eton exit. Observe the TO TAGAYTAY indicators and switch proper after the Tagaytay Public Market in the direction of the Tagaytay rotonda. Upon reaching the rotonda. Take the street going to Nasugbu, Batangas.
- From Tagaytay: take the street to Batangas till you attain the subsequent city of Alfonso. Instantly after Alfonso is the city of Nasugbu. Go previous the “Welcome to batangas” signal. Drive on till you get to Evercrest the place you will notice, in your proper, a CALERUEGA signal pointing to the left. Take that street on the left. You will note the doorway to Everecrest Lodge in your proper.
- Drive previous Evercrest, previous the Don Bosco Chapel on a Hill, till you get to a crossroads. Take the proper flip and drive till the tip of the street (earlier than you attain the tip of the street which is Caleruega, you will notice hillside lodging in your left). The street stops on the entrance to Caleruega.
- Public Transportation:
Take any bus that passes via Tagaytay. These are buses destined for Nasugbu, Balayan, Lian, Tuy or Calatagan. Get off at Evercrest in Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas (the conductor can drop you there).Tricycle service is offered at Evercrest entrance.
Be at liberty to examine all the opposite church buildings in Batangas that I already blogged about.
Different Locations to Go to in Batangas
Be at liberty to observe my Vlog beneath
