It is the highest point at Caleruega. It is the favorite place for weddings. The first time we came here, we witnessed two and the other day, there was also an early afternoon wedding. Of all the landmarks at Caleruega, this is my favorite and the garden in front of it.
Let me quote what they have to say about this from the official website of Caleruega, Philippines.
“The chapel itself is replete with symbolism. Its façade is a reproduction of the original chapel in Caleruega, Spain. Its hut-shaped roof is in remembrance of the temporary sheds that the apostles wanted to build for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah during the transfiguration (Mt 17:1-8). The seal of the Dominican Province of the Philippines is depicted in stained glass in the upper portion of the chapel’s façade. The seven grapevines entwined in the steel doors of the chapel not only portray Jesus as the vine and we as branches (John 15:5), but also symbolize the seven sacraments. The main altar is a carved tree trunk representing the “stem of Jesse,” mentioned in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit (Is 11:1). The tabernacle is a gentle reminder of the burning bush through which God revealed Himself to Moses in Mt. Sinai (Ex 3:2). The birds carved on the communion table are representations of God’s providence in Matthew 6:26: Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap…and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. The stained glass depicts the Transfiguration of Jesus witnessed by Peter, John, and Luke. With Jesus are Moses and Elijah, two significant instruments of God in the Old Testament (Mat 17:3).”
Beautiful, isn’t it?
Notice the door’s intricate design….
The facade of the chapel, the light keeps it changing…..
Another view, with the Oblation clearly visible in front.
I love everything here, it was the first thing I visited when we arrived.
Love this angle, I think I am getting good at this..haha!
I like this best, a silhouette of the chapel with the clouds hovering above
The cobbled steps make it more quaint and antiquated but still beautiful…..
And the landscape is a wonder, I wish I have all these in my own garden.
Nearing sunset….
We got invited to attend this mass together with the graduating engineering students of Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Calamba.
Took this while inside the car on our way back home……Au Revoir Caleruega!
[...] place and raving about it for I don’t know how many number of times. It was on our first trip there that we discovered the most talked about Breakfast At Antonio’s in Tagaytay City, [...]
Love it! Love it! Love it!…truly captivating!
just been there. we are from Manila, we arrived at 5:32 pm. We got lost on the way there. Not much signage and the road is rough with lots of holes. Went there with my mother who just had a stroke and pacemaker insertion last march. We were in such a hurry and tried to climb the stair coz we dont know where the main entrance. The guard named Erice blocked our way and said it is already closed, but there are still visitors inside we begged if we could just see the chapel from outside. the guard started to shout at us “hindi nyo ba nakita ang sign ang laki laki, entrance lang ito for guests, di na pwede pumasok buti nga pinasilip pa sa inyo mula sa labas ng gate subukan nyo dumaan sa main gate”, It was a long walk so told my mom to wait on the steep stair. The guard there Tulle was even strict we begged if we could talk to the Priest who might be more considerate and let even my mom alone to peep at the church, he said the 3 priest went out to eat. Im really disappointed that the House of God is guarded by such rude guards-they need to be transformed! Not to mention an entrance of 30 pesos is required. We didnt know they close at 5:30. The last visitor who stepped out told us we should have just given the guard 100 pesos to get in like what they did. I told the old lady I cant do it, to make a sin just to see the House of God. The residents told us they are just new guards and so inconsiderate. In the “true” House of God (heaven) I hope the guards there are not like these 2 security guards! Amen!
I am sorry to hear that you were not able to see the Chapel. Actually, the entrance to Caleruega is not the side of the Chapel but a few meters away from there going down. As for the road being rough as you say, it’s not a big deal since Caleruega is a secluded place and it is quite remote from the main road. You should have inquired first up to what time they were open because the place is a private one. You cannot not just walk into a place and demand entrance even if it is already closed. Sure, they charge a minimum fee of P30.00 pesos probably for maintenance. I am sad to learn that those guards you encountered were rude to you. We have visited the place twice with the family and stayed there overnight. So far, even the staff were so friendly to us. They use the place for seminars, retreats, weddings and such.
And I hope you’ll have another chance to visit it since it is not only the Transfiguration Chapel which is worth-visiting, there are other amenities there, the Rosary Lane and 14 Stations of the Cross included. The Chapel is an upward climb from the main entrance.
How do you actually get there if I’m coming from SLEX? I hope you don’t mind my asking for directions…
Coming from Slex, take Sta. Rosa exit and turn right after toll. Go straight and turn right after Tagaytay Market and proceed towards Tagaytay Rotonda. Go straight and continue until the Nasugbu Arch. Turn left towards Evercrest and Chapel on the Hill – Don Bosco, then turn right when you see the sign pointing to Caleruega. Continue down the road until you reach Caleruega at the end.
thanks! I think I’ll put this on my summer list. =>
You can visit my other albums of the place. Haven’t been there for two years and I was told there is now a new chapel going down Campo Arriba. It’s about a two and a half hour ride by car.