That Pagsanjan Arch, also known as Calle Real, signals the entrance to the town of Pagsanjan in Laguna. The Pagsanjan Arch is grand and stands out as a testament to the town’s faith as well as its historic past.
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| The Pagsanjan Arch |
Heritage Series: Pagsanjan Arch in Laguna
I saw Pagsanjan Arch after our trip to Caliraya and I remarked how beautiful it was. I was just glad that I was quick enough to pull my camera out so I was able to take a snapshot. I was in awe because it was able to survive time and
modernization, in fact, the roads passing through it was already paved with
concrete.
The history of the Pagsanjan Arch
The Pagsanjan Arch is one of the last few remaining arches of its kind that was built during the Spanish era. It was assembled by the townspeople
themselves between the years 1878 and 1880 in honor of the town patroness,
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe).
It was said that a year
before the Pagsanjan Arch was built, a group of bandits tried to attack the
town of Pagsanjan and a lady in white wielding a sword appeared in the exact place where the Arch was built.
The Pagsanjan Arch is made of adobe stones and lime and was constructed under the supervision of Father Cipriano Bac and Father Miguel de la Fuente. Further
enhancements were made during the years 1972 to 1975 and in 2014 to 2015.
How to go to Pagsanjan
If you are coming from Manila, you can go to the HM Transport terminal in
Cubao, Quezon City. Alternatively, you can also go to the Green Star Express bus terminal in Buendia, Pasay City.
Take a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Laguna and just ask the conductor to drop you off at Pagsanjan town. When you are already in Pagsanjan, you can take a
tricycle or a jeepney to the destination of your choice.
If you are taking a private vehicle, drive all the way to the South Luzon
Expressway, San Pedro, Binan, Santa Rosa, Calamba, Los Banos, Santa Cruz, and,
finally, Pagsanjan.
5 top things to do in Pagsanjan
Aside from visiting the Pagsanjan Arch, here are also some of the best things
to do in Pagsanjan, Laguna:
1. Take a trip to the Pagsanjan Falls
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| Pagsanjan Falls (credits to GFHund, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons) |
The town is most probably known also for the majestic Pagsanjan Falls. One of the most exciting activities to do in Pagsanjan Falls is shooting the rapids,
which is a boat ride through the Pagsanjan River until you reach the falls. The ride is not for the faint-hearted but there’s nothing to worry about because the boat is manned by accredited and skilled local boatmen.
2. Enter Devil’s Cave
The Devil’s Cave is located behind Pagsanjan Falls and can be reached by riding a bamboo raft. The cave is dark, which adds all the more to the thrill
of entering it.
3. Visit the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
The beautiful centuries-old Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is home to the town patroness, the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. There is a museum on the side of
the church containing religious items.
4. Try the food in a local restaurant
Try the best cuisines in town by eating in a local restaurant. You can enjoy
delicious Filipino favorites like sinigang, nilaga, bulalo, local vegetables,
and kesong puti or white cheese in a restaurant in Pagsanjan.
5. Go on a heritage tour
The town of Pagsanjan is old, as such, expect to see antique houses and buildings around the municipality. You can contact the Pagsanjan Tourism
Information Center through their telephone number (049) 808 4057 if they can
help you arrange a tour.
Alternatively, you can rent a tricycle to take you around town. If you do
decide to take photos of the houses and buildings, be sure to ask permission
to do so.
Epilogue
Pagsanjan Arch is grand and stunning, it’s a historical structure that every visitor must include in their itinerary when visiting the town of Pagsanjan.
The Pagsanjan Arch is something that travelers would seldom see because most
town entrances these days are marked with modern arches.
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Isa sa mga Magandang Lugar sa Pilipinas, patulky na dinadayo ng kahit na sino nung wala pa ang Covid, even ngayon lalo na sa mga malalapit na lugar jan, sobrang ganda ng mga Pasyalan at Beach Resort at Mga Kainan..
It was really good and wonderful. Always a part of our history books during school days.. a destination wherein beauty does exist. A wonder of nature.
Wow Laguna po ay isa sa magagandang lugar na masarap puntahan. Napakarelaxing at maraming magagandang tourist spots. Pagsanjan Ach ay isa napakagandang tanda ng Laguna.
Ang dami rin Talagang pwedengm.lbblffne puntahan at pasyalan dito sa Laguna. Ang ganda din talagang makaexperience na makapag visit Dito... Talagang mag eenjoy at marerelax tayo dito. 🥰🥰
isa talaga sa magandang lugar ang laguna and wow napaka historical talaga nitong pagsanjan arch or kilala din sa tawag na calle real ❤️ yung mga gantong place talagang dapat pinapahalagahan at iniingatan dahil ito ay parte ng ating history ❤️🥰
Wow it's admirable that they were able to preserve this Pagsanjan arch. I've never been to Pagsanjan yet but this is worth a visit. I want a place with touches of heritage and I want to see the falls and cave too 🙂
That place so nice and must to visit.. makikita mo talaga yung ganda ng lugar sa Pilipinas, na patuloy ding dinadayo , sarap Paliguan yung Falls, so refreshing, at yung mga food siguradong Dadayuhin din dahil sa sarap
Wow pag ganito place dapat talaga mapuntahan gusto ko ma try yung food nila and makapunta na din sa pag sanjan falls🤩