2nd District churches in top lists for Visita Iglesia

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Three historic and Spanish-era churches here are included in the list of best churches to visit during the traditional Visita Iglesia this coming Maundy Thursday.

Blogger and historian Ivan Henares lists Betis Church in Guagua, San Agustin Church in Lubao and Santa Rita de Cascia Church in Santa Rita town as among the most recommended churches to visit this Lenten Week. On top of the list is the Betis Church in Guagua which is a National Cultural Treasure and a favorite movie-shooting destination.

Henares, in his blog, said that the church is called Sistine Chapel of the Philippines because of its wall to ceiling mural paintings and its ornate wooden retablo.

Lubao Church has the distinction of being the oldest church in Pampanga.

While Santa Rita Church is famed for its Gothic altars and its first class relic of the incorruptible body of Saint Rita of Cascia. .

The Department of Tourism, in the past, listed Santiago de Galicia Parish Church, better known as the Betis Church in Guagua, built in the early 1700s, as among the best churches to visit in Pampanga.

Sta. Lucia parish church in Sasmuan was also in its previous list of churches recommended to pilgrims and tourists.

Sta.Lucia, for whom the church was named, has been known to bestow favors on folk who pray for her intercession at the church. Last in the DOT itinerary is the St. Augustine parish church in Lubao, built in 1572 by architect Fr. Antonio Herrera. .