Dumaguete Belfry
One of the most significant landmarks of Dumaguete, also known as the “University Town”, is the Dumaguete Belfy. It is the city’s most popular marker. It was built in 1760s and developed in the 1870s to warn townfolks of attacks by marauding pirates.
The Dumaguete Belfry is also known as the Campanario de Dumaguete (a direct Spanish translation). It was built upon one of the four original massive watchtowers that Parish Priest Don Jose Manuel Fernandez de Septien built in the 1760s to discourage Moros from ransacking the town. The two layers which are now known as the Bell Tower or the Campanario were added during the administration of Fray Juan Felix de la Encarnacion in 1867.
Located next to the magnificent St Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, the Dumaguete Belfry, unlike before, is no longer visible in most parts of the city. It used to be the most imposing among the architectural structures until tall buildings were erected due to modernization.
Comments
Post a Comment