The Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guidance, also known as Ermita Shrine or Ermita Church (Spanish: La Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Guía) is a shrine located in the district of Ermita in the city of Manila, Philippines.
Ermita Church Interior |
Ermita Church is home to the Marian image of the Immaculate Concepcion known as Nuestra Señora de Guía, which is considered to be oldest in the Philippines, and in whose honor the church is officially named after and dedicated to.
RELATED: List of Marian Shrines in the Philippines
The shrine eventually became a chapel built in 1606 as house for the image and was called La Hermita ("The Chapel" or "Hermitage" in English). The word also gave the name to the present district in Manila where the chapel is located.
The National Museum houses Filipino fine art, natural history exhibits, and astronomy displays across several buildings, while kid-focused Museo Pambata has hands-on displays and an outdoor theater. Relaxed restaurants and quirky cafes cater to the area’s students.
RELATED: List of Marian Shrines in the Philippines
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Ermita Church in Details
Names: Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guidance, La Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Guía
Location: Manila
Country: Philippines
Denomination: Catholic
Status: Shrine
Founded: 1606
Feast Day: May 19
Cult present: Señora de Guía
Associated people: Miguel López de Legazpi
Functional status: Active
Heritage designation: National Historical Commission of the Philippines
Designated: 1971
Architect: Carlos A. Santos-Viola
Architectural type: Chapel
Style: Modern
Years built: 6
Groundbreaking: 1947
Completed: 1953
Administration Subdivision: Vicariate of Nuestra Señora de Guia
Archdiocese: Manila
Ermita Church History
The church began as a rustic shrine made of bamboo, nipa, and molave wood that was built to house the image of Our Lady of Guidance in the area where it was found in 1571 by Spanish soldiers under Miguel López de Legazpi.
Ermita Church markers |
The shrine eventually became a chapel built in 1606 as house for the image and was called La Hermita ("The Chapel" or "Hermitage" in English). The word also gave the name to the present district in Manila where the chapel is located.
The church was damaged many times due to earthquakes. In addition, the image had to be transferred to the Manila Cathedral for safekeeping during the British occupation of Manila in 1762–1764. A more permanent stone church was built in 1810; the image was returned to the church in 1918.
In 1945 near the end of World War II, the church was reduced to rubble during the Battle of Manila. However, the image was saved from destruction and was temporarily kept in a private residence. Work began for the reconstruction of the church in 1947 with a new design by architect Carlos A. Santos-Viola.
On March 28, 1949, attorney and future senator Jose W. Diokno married Carmen Icasiano at Ermita Church. Diokno was also baptized here on September 3, 1922, his godmother and second mother was Paz Wilson. By 1953, the reconstruction was completed and the image was returned to the new church.
On December 3, 2005, Manila Archbishop Most Rev. Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, DD elevated the status of this church to an archdiocesan shrine.
OTHER CHURCHES TO VISIT IN MANILA
- Manila Cathedral
- San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila
- Basilica of the Black Nazarene a.k.a. Quiapo Church in Manila
- Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz a.k.a. Binondo Church
- San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, Manila
- Our Lady of Remedies Parish (Malate Catholic Church)
How to Get to Ermita Church
Here's a guide on how you can go to Ermita Church via public commuting:
If you are coming from Monumento Area:
Option 1: Ride a Jeepney bound to Baclaran (via Mabini). Ask the Driver to alight you off at U.N. Avenue corner Antonio Flores Street. From there, you can just walk going to Ermita Church.
Option 2: Ride the LRT-1. Alight off at U.N. Avenue Station. From there, you can just walk or ride a Pedicab going to Ermita Church.
If you are coming from Baclaran Area:
Option 1: Ride a Jeepney bound to Divisoria or Monumento (via Mabini). Ask the Driver to alight you off at U.N. Avenue corner Antonio Flores Street. From there, you can just walk going to Ermita Church.
Option 2: Ride the LRT-1. Alight off at U.N. Avenue Station. From there, you can just walk or ride a Pedicab going to Ermita Church.
Via Private Car
But if you are bringing your own vehicle, you may follow driving directions from Waze or Google Maps. However, parking is limited and on first-come-first-serve basis.
ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN MANILA
Klook.comErmita Church
Address: A. Flores, Ermita, Manila
Phone Number: (02) 8523 2754
Telefax: (02) 8242-4041
Email Address: nuestrasradeguia.1571@gmail.com
Ermita Church Mass Schedule & Other Services
Wednesday - 6:00 PM
Thursday - 6:00 PM
Friday - 6:00 PM
Saturday - 7:00 AM
Sunday - 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 5:00 PM
WHERE TO NEXT?
- VISITA IGLESIA GUIDE: 7 Churches to Visit in Manila (Location & Map)
- MANILA TRAVEL GUIDE: Tourist Spots, Things To Do, Where To Eat and Where to Stay
- REDISCOVER MANILA: 20+ Tourist Spots To Visit At Night (Things To Do & New Places To Go)
- INTRAMUROS GUIDE: Historic Walled City in Manila (What to See & to Do)
About Ermita
Ermita is a district in Manila, Philippines. It is anchored by Rizal Park, featuring a monument to the nationalist hero, plus landscaped gardens and walking paths.
Aerial shot of Ermita |
The National Museum houses Filipino fine art, natural history exhibits, and astronomy displays across several buildings, while kid-focused Museo Pambata has hands-on displays and an outdoor theater. Relaxed restaurants and quirky cafes cater to the area’s students.
Notable Landmarks and Places in Ermita
Beside this church in Ermita, here are of the known places to visit in this district in Manila:
Rizal Park
Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park or simply Luneta, is a historic urban park located in Ermita, Manila. It is considered one of the largest urban parks in the Philippines, covering an area of 58 hectares. The site on where the park is situated was originally known as Bagumbayan during the Spanish colonial period.
Rizal Park |
Arroceros Forest Park
The Arroceros Forest Park is a riverside urban forest park in Manila, Philippines, located on Antonio Villegas Street in the central district of Ermita.
Manila Ocean Park
The Manila Ocean Park, also known as Ocean Park is an oceanarium in Manila, Philippines. It is owned by China Oceanis Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of China Oceanis Inc., a Singaporean-registered firm. It is located behind the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park.
ACTIVITIES AND TOURS IN MANILA
WHERE TO STAY IN MANILA
Here's a list of hotel accommodation you can book in Manila:
- Octagon Mansion Hotel - Check Rates and Availability!
- Bayview Park Hotel - Check Rates and Availability!
- Go Hotels Ermita - Check Rates and Availability!
- City Garden Suites Hotel - Check Rates and Availability!
- Pearl Manila Hotel - Check Rates and Availability!
- Sunny Bay Suites - Check Rates and Availability!
IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without IMFWJ's notice. Should you know the updated information, please let us know by leaving a message in the comment box below.
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