Visita Iglesia - Santuario de Caysasay

The Shrine a decade ago

If the Province of Rizal has the well visited Our Lady of Antipolo, Batangas has the Our Lady of Caysasay as its pilgrimage site. The beautiful Shrine dedicated to the Our of Caysasay, Patroness of the Arch. of Lipa, is located in the side plateau near of the poblacion of Taal. After a series of disappearance of the Image and staying in what is now Barrio Caysasay,with its intention to stay in the forested and rocky place. The Augustinians decided to construct a chapel of light materials probably of nipa and bamboo in February 24, 1620, after a series of investigation done by the Order.

Sometime in 1900(c) History of Batangas

The simple chapel later torn down in the 1639 replacing it with a better one made of stone. With the help of Chinese masons living in the area construction was finish in 1640 only be interrupted by decapitation order of the Spanish government due to the Chinese Uprising in Manila and nearby provinces in 1639.

The Shrine 2012

Repair works after the damage of the January 30, 1911 Taal eruption. Photo taken July 29.1911(c) History of Batangas

The stone church made of Coral stone was place together with the use of lime from shells. A porch with three arches flank the facade. The two bell towers are positioned of each side with a triangular  pediment in the center.

The Altar Mayor

Upon entering, one will note the simplicity of the walls and beautiful Altar Mayor, the walls on altar area on the other hand exposes the coral stone. The use of bricks is also present, most of which were done in arches and windows. This is an exception on the windows on nave and the door in the transept, wherein applying wood to support the stone was done first. This is also the reason why the windows in the nave are rectangular.

The Altar Mayor was installed by Fr. Marcos Anton along with the iron balustrade around it replacing an old one, Its floors are made of marble said to have imported from Italy. In ordinary days the altar is decorated flower vases of china while silver ornaments in Fiesta days.

Old interior of the Shrine 1880's(c) History of Batangas

The newly restored silver trappings 

The ceiling showcase simple paintings done by Cesar Alberoni. In 1880 an organ was brought by the famous organist, Don Doroteo Otorel of Palencia, Spain. Adjacent to the shrine is the hewn stone convent, allegedly built in the 18th century by a Chinese maestro de obra. It is now an orphanage managed by the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit.

The Sanctuary has been damage in several occasion. In the 1754 Taal eruption the roof was damage and the Camarin collapse. In the December 24, 1852 earthquake, both towers collapse and were repaired in 1856 but damaged during the 1867 earthquake. In 1911 tremors from the Taal Volcano eruption toppled the left tower and again in the 1942 earthquake. The towers were later restored in 1952 along with the convent.

In September 2009, the church was flooded due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ondoy, the flood carried mud and silt that covered the marble tiles. Restoration was done after wads to bring back its beauty. In June 2012 the the church was given the perpetual plenary indulges by the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome thus making the shrine a affiliate of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.