The Cathedral of Jaro

One of the earliest cathedrals that was built in the Philippines was The Jaro Cathedral or known as the church Our Lady of Candles. Unlike most of the Hispanic structures in Iloilo that were built either of bricks or of yellowish sandstones, the cathedral was built of cream like fossil stones.
It is mainly designed of baroque architecture emphasized by slopes and curves entwining with many neoclassic features. The stained glass Romanesque windows contribute a unique balance between the Baroque and Classic features of the Church. The small rose window at the upper half of the facade which is typical of Gothic churches also deviates from the church's Baroque dominance.
The cathedral has been a part of Iloilo's rich history. It is perhaps the most important Roman Catholic Shrine in all of the Region and is considered as the heart of Catholicism in the island. Many important events in history happened in the very grounds of the Cathedral. Hundreds of pilgrims gather every year in February to celebrate the anniversary of the miraculous patron Saint whose statue is believed to have outgrown its niche. The Feast of Our Lady of Candles is also one of the largest festivals in the country that is filled with traditions practiced from generations to generations.