Cagsawa Ruins

From the lodging house that we are renting (Mayon Lodging House) Cagsawa ruins is just a 10 to 15 minutes walk, or you can ride a tricycle for 10 Php each person. 

As a brief background..

"The Cagsawa Ruins (also spelled as Kagsawa or Cagsaua) are the remnants of a 16th-century Franciscan church, the Cagsawa church. It was built in 1587 but was burned down by the marauding Dutch in 1636. However, it was reconstructed again in 1724 by Fr. Francisco Blanco. In February 1, 1814, Mayon Volcano caused its most violent and deadly eruption that engulfed the surrounding houses and killed nearly 2,000 people who took refuge inside the church. Only the belfry of the Cagsawa church remains as a grim and silent testimony of that fateful day. For almost two hundred years, it has withstood the test of time and the elements to become one of the most recognizable landmarks of Albay Province. The ruins are located in Barangay Busay, Cagsawa, in the municipality of Daraga, Albay, Philippines.

The ruins, currently became a park, known as the "Cagsawa Park," protected and maintained by the municipal government of Daraga and the National Museum of the Philippines, are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area.The International Tourism Bourse, one of the world’s top travel trade shows based in Berlin, has even recognized the site as one of the places to visit in Asia." [Source: Wikipedia]"

Cagsawa Ruins

Perfect capture of Mayon Volacano at Cagsawa Ruins

Must-do picture effect with 100 Philippine Peso Bill 

I highly recommend going here at early in the morning if you want to capture a good image of the Cagsawa Ruins together with the Mayon Volcano. It is also traditional to have an artistic pose beside Cagsawa (though we miss doing a lot of crazy poses because there were a lot of people roaming around already). We just had fun watching people doing it though, sometimes they wanna capture it like as if they are lifting it or crushing it, and etc. :)

Around the area are a lot of souvenir shops and carenderia (food stalls) perfect for hungry tummy if you haven't had your breakfast yet. But then, eating here is quite pricey compared to a normal carenderia along Daraga or Legazpi so I recommend having your breakfast first before heading here. 

Roaming around we've also found "Patio de Cagsawa", it has a mini bar at the corner and a centralized terrace surrounded by a swamp full of koi's. Seeing this I think that this place is being rented for special occasions such as wedding or debut for the locals. It is also perfect to have instagram-worthy pictures, haha!

Bicol Adventure Links:

Day 2: 
Where to Stay in Bicol : Mayon Lodging House
Lignon Hill
Foodtrip: 1st Colonial Grill
Embarcadero de Legazpi


Day 3: 
Cagsawa Ruins 
Cagsawa ATV Adventure
Sumlang Lake
Hoyop Hoyopan Cave
Daraga Church
Albay Pili Nut Candy
Foodtrip :  Bigg's Diner and DJC Halo Halo