Santa Maria Church (Ilocos Sur)
| Santa Maria Basilica | |
|---|---|
| Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption | |
| |
The church in September 2013 | |
Location in Luzon | |
| 17°22′0″N 120°28′59.2″E / 17.36667°N 120.483111°E | |
| Location | Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur |
| Country | Philippines |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Minor Basilica, Archdiocesan Shrine |
| Dedication | Our Lady of the Assumption |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | National Historical Landmark; World Heritage Site; National Cultural Treasure |
| Designated |
|
| Architect(s) | Augustinian Friars |
| Architectural type | Church building |
| Style | Earthquake Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1765 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 800 |
| Length | 99 meters (325 ft) wide. |
| Width | 22.7 meters (74 ft) |
| Number of floors | 2 |
| Number of towers | 1 |
| Number of spires | 2 |
| Materials | Brick |
| Bells | 6 |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Nueva Segovia |
| Deanery | St. Lucy |
| Parish | Our Lady of the Assumption |
| Clergy | |
| Priest(s) | Fr. Ernesto A. Juarez Jr. Fr. Ramelle J. Rigunay |
| Official name | Church of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion |
| Part of | Baroque Churches of the Philippines |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii)(iv) |
| Reference | 677bis-002 |
| Inscription | 1993 (17th Session) |
| Extensions | 2013 |
National Historical Landmarks | |
| Official name | Santa Maria Church |
| Designated | August 1, 1973 |
| Reference no. | No. 260, s. 1973 |
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The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, commonly known as Santa Maria Church, Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, and Santa Maria Pro-cathedral, is a Roman Catholic Basilica in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. The church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 11, 1993, as part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, a collection of four Baroque Spanish-era churches. It is currently the Pro-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia while the Vigan Cathedral is undergoing repairs.
The Santa Maria Church is an attraction to tourists and Catholics in Ilocos Sur. It is a reminder of the four centuries of Spanish domination over the area, and is a unique structure with a diverse architectural design of bricks and mortar. It was built on top of a hill a lookout and a citadel as well as a religious center during the early administration of the region by friars and soldiers of Spain.