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Basilica of St. Martin de Tours, Taal Batangas

St. Martin de Tours Basilica, Taal Batangas, Wow Batangas

 Identified as the largest Catholic church in Asia, Basilica of St. Martin de Tours stands 96 meters tall and 45 meters wide on a plateau in the heart of the town called Taal.

I am  awed by how a structure like this Basilica endured centuries. The church remains magnificent with its old but artistically beautiful make-up. And so with this seemed to be Kant’s sublimity feeling after seeing the church the first time, I probe on this astonishing Basilica’s history.

In 1570, Martin de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo, two Spanish generals explored the coast of Batangas on their way to Manila and came upon a Malay settlement at the mouth of Taal River. In 1572, the town of Taal was founded and its convent and stone church were constructed later.

First built by Father Diego Espina in 1575 in what is now known as San Nicolas, which was historically a part of Balangon. It was destroyed when the volcano erupted in 1754. It was rebuilt at the present site in 1755, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1849. Reputed to be the largest Catholic church in the Far East, construction of the present church was started in 1856, according to the plans of Lucina Oliver, an architect. It was inaugurated in 1885.

The Augustinian Missionaries started construction in 1756, and it took a century for the church to achieve its present form. The façade resembles that of the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Its tabernacle is made of silver, the only one of its kind in the Philippines.

For those who have seen the basilica — I hope you will agree with me that a structure like this one, with God as its architect, is just simply magnificent.

If you would like to see this church for yourself and you’re planning to visit us here in Batangas, you might want to check out some Batangas Accommodation.

About Publisher

JR Cantos is the Publisher of WOWBatangas.com. Some of the articles here on the website have been contributed over the years, so please just email us at help (at) wowbatangas.com if you have any concerns. Salamat!

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  1. I just wanna know if there is any contact number for Basilica of St. Martin de Tours (landline,cellphone,email)..been trying to look for it on the net, but to no avail. Really would appreciate for any positive information. Thanks!

  2. I just wanna know if there is any contact number for Basilica of St. Martin de Tours (landline,cellphone,email)..been trying to look for it on the net, but to no avail. Really would appreciate for any positive information. Thanks!

    • you can get in touch on the website of archdiocese of lipa http://www.archlipa.org then click parishes, then click vicariate two then you will see basilica of saint martin of tours button then click it or you can locate the button of taal basilica on the leftside of the homepage…

      you can get in touch with msgr. alfredo madlangbayan,the parish priest of taal basilica for more details.=)

  3. I just wanna know if there is any contact number for Basilica of St. Martin de Tours (landline,cellphone,email)..been trying to look for it on the net, but to no avail. Really would appreciate for any positive information. Thanks!

  4. I agree.

    I see this church almost everyday. The sunday mass is very solemn and I will never ever get tired of seeing this magnificent view.

  5. I agree.

    I see this church almost everyday. The sunday mass is very solemn and I will never ever get tired of seeing this magnificent view.

    • BORN AND RACE ON THIS TOWN. I SETTLE IN CALIFORNIA USA. I ALWAYS VISIT TAAL EVERY YEARS SINCE 1986 AND AND ATTEND MASS IN THIS CHURCH AND ALWAYS DONATE AT LEAST $500.00, BUT 2 YEARS AGO I WAS EMBARASSED BY THE PARRISH PRIEST. HE SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME IN A NICE WAY THAT I CANNOT WEAR SHORT PANTS IN CHURCH BUT INSTEAD HE DID NOT GIVE ME A COMMUNION AND LOOK AT ME FROM HEAD TO FOOT LIKE A CRIMINAL. IN NO WAY I WILL DONATE AGAIN IN THIS CHURCH.

  6. I agree.

    I see this church almost everyday. The sunday mass is very solemn and I will never ever get tired of seeing this magnificent view.

  7. want to know your contact number please.

  8. want to know your contact number please.

  9. want to know your contact number please.

  10. seating capacity? any photos inside the church area

  11. seating capacity? any photos inside the church area

  12. seating capacity? any photos inside the church area

  13. pls need your contact number asap thank you

  14. pls need your contact number asap thank you

  15. pls need your contact number asap thank you

  16. everyday po ba open ang st.martin de tours??from wat tym??

  17. everyday po ba open ang st.martin de tours??from wat tym??

  18. everyday po ba open ang st.martin de tours??from wat tym??

  19. charlene catubig

    hi po..ask ko lng kung magkano wedding package sa st. martin de tours..thanks

  20. charlene catubig

    hi po..ask ko lng kung magkano wedding package sa st. martin de tours..thanks

  21. charlene catubig

    hi po..ask ko lng kung magkano wedding package sa st. martin de tours..thanks

  22. Greetings, can you please tell me what is the town name where is this church exactly located or is it posibble if you can share me the actual address….I would greatly appreciate your input…please kindly reply to my e-maill….looking forward to have a vacation in this area…happy holidays…Rainey

  23. Greetings, can you please tell me what is the town name where is this church exactly located or is it posibble if you can share me the actual address….I would greatly appreciate your input…please kindly reply to my e-maill….looking forward to have a vacation in this area…happy holidays…Rainey

  24. Greetings, can you please tell me what is the town name where is this church exactly located or is it posibble if you can share me the actual address….I would greatly appreciate your input…please kindly reply to my e-maill….looking forward to have a vacation in this area…happy holidays…Rainey

  25. how do we get to this church coming frm Manila? do we have to take the boat ride going to taal volcano?

  26. how do we get to this church coming frm Manila? do we have to take the boat ride going to taal volcano?

  27. how do we get to this church coming frm Manila? do we have to take the boat ride going to taal volcano?

  28. I’ve been here..it’s very nice church very antique and full of history to tell..i came here because of a person i loved so much
    he is dexter enriquez, dont even know if its really his real name..
    i hopeyour always okay where ever you are i will never forget the beautiful place of taal batangas i will always remember the day ive been there to find you.

    iloveyou and will always love you
    thank you so much for everything

    god bless you always

  29. I’ve been here..it’s very nice church very antique and full of history to tell..i came here because of a person i loved so much
    he is dexter enriquez, dont even know if its really his real name..
    i hopeyour always okay where ever you are i will never forget the beautiful place of taal batangas i will always remember the day ive been there to find you.

    iloveyou and will always love you
    thank you so much for everything

    god bless you always

  30. I’ve been here..it’s very nice church very antique and full of history to tell..i came here because of a person i loved so much
    he is dexter enriquez, dont even know if its really his real name..
    i hopeyour always okay where ever you are i will never forget the beautiful place of taal batangas i will always remember the day ive been there to find you.

    iloveyou and will always love you
    thank you so much for everything

    god bless you always

  31. Do you still have a festival for Saint Martin ? Is it on Nov 7 ? My father’s family own the a house in Taal Batangas and as I know they usually do that yearly. We are thinking of going there this year or next. Please let me know. Thank You

  32. Do you still have a festival for Saint Martin ? Is it on Nov 7 ? My father’s family own the a house in Taal Batangas and as I know they usually do that yearly. We are thinking of going there this year or next. Please let me know. Thank You

  33. Do you still have a festival for Saint Martin ? Is it on Nov 7 ? My father’s family own the a house in Taal Batangas and as I know they usually do that yearly. We are thinking of going there this year or next. Please let me know. Thank You

  34. Taga rito po kami, and I am glad na pinanganak ako sa Taal. I spend my elementary days sa Taal Central School. I really miss Taal Batangas

    Dexter Panganiban
    http://www.thebestoftaalbatangas.com

  35. naka punta ako sa Taal Basilica nang magbakasyon kami nang luvsie ko sa kanila, picture dito picture doon, taga Batangas kasi sila. miss na miss ko na yon. i hope we can go back and stay longer.

  36. Experience living in a century-old-ancestral house Casa Herencia with two bedroom in Taal Batangas. The house was built during the spanish era and was recently restored and preserve to maintain the built legacy of Taal.pls email at casasdetaal@yahoo.com for more info.

  37. gud evening..just want to know kung cno po ang over all in charge sa pmamahala ng simbahan??

  38. hindi ba 45 meters high and 96 meters wide?

  39. hi, our parent-in-law is planning to hear mass at basilica de San Martin de Tour this June in celebration of their wedding anniversary. May I ask the time schedule of sunday masses because we are coming from Manila? Thank you for your assistance.

  40. hi, our parents-in-law is planning to hear mass at basilica de San Martin de Tour this June in celebration of their wedding anniversary. May I ask the time schedule of sunday masses. We will come all the way from Manila? Thank you for your assistance.

  41. jamie rose celeste

    my mga documents po ba kayo na pede gmiting source para sa thesis nmin…bout po sya sa kalagayan ng taal basilica during japanese occupation..salamat po..sana mkapagresponse po kayo sa tanong ko..;)

  42. hi po ask ko lang po if how much wedding total package kapag sa Basilica of St. Martin de Tours? ty

  43. hi po ask ko lang po if how much wedding total package kapag sa Basilica of St. Martin de Tours? ty

  44. hi po.. ask ko lng po if may mass every saturday and wat tym? thank you

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