Go on a Visita Iglesia tour of Philippine churches through Minecraft
The pandemic has halted our usual Holy Week plans for the second year in a row, including Visita Iglesia, the tradition of visiting several churches.
Many Catholic faithful usually make it a point to go on a road trip to visit seven to 14 chuches to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in each church.
Along with other virtual Visita Iglesia tours you can do online, parents with kids stuck at home might want to check out this unique and fun compilation of Minecraft churches by JST Creations.
JST Creations is a Filipino YouTube channel that regularly shares places around the Philippines such as heritage sites, cultural and historical places, and tourist spots recreated in the sandbox video game Minecraft.
The creator, who currently has over 5,000 subscribers on YouTube, recently shared a compilation of "Real vs. Minecraft churches" on his Facebook page in celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.
Check out seven church builds in the blocky, procedurally-generated 3D world and learn more about the churches in the videos below.
Manila Cathedral, Intramuros
The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Manila Cathedral, is the cathedral of Manila and basilica located in Intramuros, the historic walled city within today's modern city of Manila.
It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, a title for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the principal patroness of the country. The cathedral serves as the episcopal seat of the Archbishop of Manila.
Quiapo Church, Manila
The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, known canonically as the Parish of Saint John the Baptist or more commonly as Quiapo Church, is a prominent basilica in the district of Quiapo in the city of Manila.
The basilica is the famous home for the Black Nazarene, a dark statue of Jesus Christ said to be miraculous.
Barasoain Church, Bulacan
Barasoaín Church (officially as the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish) is a Roman Catholic church built in 1888 in Malolos, Bulacan.
This historic church has earned the title "Cradle of Democracy in the East" and is considered the site of the First Philippine Republic.
When the Filipino revolution broke out, the Spanish authorities coined the term "baras ng suwail," which means "dungeon of the defiant" as the church was actually a meeting place for anti-Spanish and anti-colonial illustrado.
San Agustin Church, Intramuros
San Agustin Church, also known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación y Correa or the Immaculate Conception Parish, is a Roman Catholic church under the Order of St. Augustine, located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila.
San Agustin Church is one of four Philippine churches constructed during the Spanish colonial period that's designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, under the collective title Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
Completed in 1607, it is the oldest stone church in the country. It was named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.
Molo Church, Iloilo
Molo Church is a famous Spanish-colonial church and heritage site in the Molo District of Iloilo.
The church is known for its prominent red spires that crown its tall bell towers and as “the feminist church” because of the all-women ensemble of saints represented in 16 statues perched on the aisle pillars.
Built in neogothic style, the Molo Church is considered one of Iloilo CIty's notable tourist landmarks.
Sto. Domingo Church, Intramuros
Sto. Domingo Church is a former wooden chapel built by the first Dominicam missionaries. It was formerly situated in Intramuros, Manila and was inaugurated on January 1, 1588.
The church was rebuilt over the years after sustaining damage by several fires and earthquakes but was destroyed during World War II from bombings.
In 1941, it was transferred and built in Quezon City dubbed the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary.
San Sebastian Church, Intramuros
The Minor Basilica of San Sebastian, better known as San Sebastian Church or San Sebastian Basilica, is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church in Manila.
Completed in 1891, San Sebastian Church is noted for its architecture. An example of the Gothic Revival architecture in the Philippines, it is the only steel building church in the Philippines.
This church was designated as a National Historical Landmark in 1973 and as a National Cultural Treasure in 2011.
Get a unique appreciation for other Philippine landmarks and tourist spots through Minecraft by subscribing to JST Creation's channel at: https://www.youtube.com/JSTCreations.
(Images via JST Creations)