Alimodian Church in Iloilo - Philippines

The question of which of the many churches in Iloilo is the best is a matter of personal opinion, but if you are going to make an itinerary, the Alimodian Church might very well merit a spot there.

The Alimodian Church was built in 1787 to accede to the wishes of Fr. Florencio Martin. Although it survived several earthquakes, including strong ones in 1787, 1869 and 1887, the quake in 1948 destroyed much of the edifice, which also led to the collapse of the upper levels of the church. It has been rebuilt extensively so you can admire it in its full glory.

The blueprint of the Alimodian Church follows that of the Neo Classical architecture; the main body is brown, and the upper part is white. Although there is nothing flashy about its appearance, it is still a visual spectacle. This dome however, was added much later on. The interior of the church is also well designed, and one of the attractions there are the various holes, which are scattered in and around the edifice. Their purpose is unknown; although there are several theories, none have been proven satisfactorily.

Apart from the Alimodian Church itself, there is a garden around it. This area, filled with opulent greens, has often been the scene of weddings and gatherings. There is also a grotto in the complex which has been enshrined to the Virgin Mary. The entire complex is actually a site that you can explore for several hours or even days. The reason is that there are several artifacts and relics that were added over the years. It can be fun to go over them and see which styles were used and how they complement the design of the church.

If you are coming in from Molo, which is not far from Iloilo City, you can get on a jeepney and head out to the National Highway. The journey will take you past several towns, including Oton, Sta. Monica and Biaga. Once you get past that one, you will be headed to the town of Alimodian. From there you can take any public utility vehicle which will take you to the Alimodian Church.

Full of beauty and history, the Alimodian Church is one of those tourist attractions in Iloilo that just grabs a hold of you. Taking pictures to serve as mementos are wonderful, but something about the place will have you longing for return visits.