Finding Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

foreground of Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

After sneaking-in at St. Bartolomew Parish Church of Nagcarlan, Laguna for more than two hours, we decided to check the underground cemetery which is situated two kilometers away from the church. We hire a trike for 20 pesos and eight minutes later we’re in front of its gate. 

the gate 

       I am a sucker of old churches but not of cemeteries, except this one. I have been dying to visit this historical monument for months.

      As I dismount from the back of the tricycle driver. (I sit there for I hate stooping. Laguna trikes usually have low ceiling and it’s not comfortable for tall people.), I was immediately mesmerized by the beauty of the façade of the complex. The front fence is composed of red bricks with iron-wrought grills. An arch with iron-grill gate welcome visitors. Red tiles serve as pathway from the gate to the church with greeneries on each side. 

my travel buddy

kita ang katuwaan

       Before this visit, I read a few articles about it and discovered that it’s the only of its kind in the country. It was established in 1845 by a Franciscan priest, Fr Vicente Velloc, in a hectare of propery at Brgy Bambang, Nagcarlan, Laguna. It’s a semi-circle Baroque style cemetery. A small church is situated at the center where funeral masses were held. 

so happy that I finally got to see the underground crpyt

marker

Church at the top of the underground crypt

infront of the church 

view from inside the church

One hundred twenty apartment type tombs where on each side of the church that also serve as fence of the complex.  

     Fifteen feet beneath the church, there were 36 burial chambers of Spanish friars and prominent people.  The underneath crypt is just small. If you have phobia for small spaces, this is not a place for you to visit. This underground resting place had served as the meeting place for the leaders of the revolutions against the Spaniards, American, even during World War II and was the reason why it was declared as a national historical landmark in August 1, 1973 under Presidential Decree Number 260. In 1978, it underwent renovations and was open again to the public on October 24, 1981. Oldest tomb of the cemetery is dated 1886 and the last burial was held in 1982. A local told me that the underground crypt was a lot bigger then than it is now. I was informed that some of its chambers were closed for safety.

the crypt

There were three local boys who joined us in checking the underground crypt. Korean, Chinese and American citizens also check the complex at that time. I also noticed high school students from a nearby school hanging-out at the steps of the church.

the door towards the underworld

pababa

ang tatlong bata

The cemetery is open to the public for free from Tuesday to Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm. However, bikes and pets are not allowed inside the complex. 

Tandaan. Huwag matigas ang ulo!

      The complex is easy to find. If you are from Calamba, your will come to it first before the church and the municipal building. Watch out for the gas station. The complex is just in front of it. If you are using the public transportation, like us, just tell the driver of the van that you are going to the underground cemetery or ride a trike from the center of the town and ask to bring you there. Fee is very minimal. By the way, you can also go to Nagcarlan via San Pablo, Laguna with a public utility jeep.