Traveling to Naga City with the family is a great idea. The Philippines’ Bicol Region brims with myriad destinations to experience. Naga City tourist spots are pretty varied: travelers will find both historical and modern attractions. If you and your family want to have a glimpse of the rich heritage of the Queen City of Bicol, make it a point to visit these places:
Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
First built in 1595, the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral and Parish of Saint John the Evangelist is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres. It has quite a history of misfortunes: gutted down by a fire in 1768, damaged in an earthquake in 1820, ravaged by a typhoon in 1856, and destroyed by an earthquake once more in 1887. The cathedral has been in numerous states of renovation, yet it has kept its Spanish Romanesque Revival architecture intact.
Porta Mariae
This arch in front of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral was built to commemorate the 300 years of the Bicolanos’ devotion to the Our Lady of Peñafrancia. At the top of this 35-foot-high edifice is a brass image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia with two angels on each side.
Peñafrancia Basilica Minore
This Neoclassical church, which began construction in 1976 but was completed only in 1981, is a popular attraction especially among Marian pilgrims. It houses the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary sculpted in 1710. Aside from the Marian image, its stained glass windows and hand-painted ceilings take tourists’ breath away.
San Francisco Church
Built in 1578, this is the first church established by the Franciscan friars in Southeast Asia. San Francisco Church is a significant site because its infirmary and basement was used as torture halls for Filipinos during the Filipino-Spanish War in 1896, and was also the last place of refuge of the Spaniards when the Spanish colonial rule in Bicol ended in 1898.
The original structure of the church was destroyed; only the belfry remains to witness the transformation of Naga up to this day.
Plaza Quince Martires
A popular landmark located in the heart of Naga City and fronting the San Francisco Church, the monument is dedicated to the 15 Bicolano martyrs who fought against the Spaniards during the Philippine Revolution. It stands as the symbol of the pride and heroism of the Bicolanos.
Holy Rosary Minor Seminary
Constructed in 1785, this seminary is famous for its prominent graduates that include Revolution personalities Jose Ma. Panganiban and Tomas Arejola; as well as Jorge Barlin, the first Filipino Catholic bishop.
The structure, featuring a distinct colonial architecture with Italian Renaissance ornamentation, was declared a National Historical Landmark. It also houses the Museo del Seminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres, which contains religious and archeological artifacts.
Visiting these attractions in Naga City may take a toll on your body, so it’s important to book a comfortable accommodation. And one of the hotels in Naga City that can serve as an ideal stopover and starting point for exploration is Villa Caceres Hotel. Besides offering cozy lodgings, it also has a Family Suite Hot Deal that slashes 30% off the rate of the Family Suite when checking in anytime from June 1 to 30, 2018. The deal is also inclusive of breakfast, round-trip airport shuttle service, access to the Health Resort Club, and Wi-Fi access.
Booking period for the Family Suite Hot Deal is from May 10 to June 10, 2018 only, so reserve immediately and secure a budget-friendly accommodation as you discover the best Naga City tourist spots.
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