Mang Danny parked near Rizal Park and I got out to take a few pictures of the Dumaguete Belfry. Bee was too tired to step out.
In 1811, the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral was built and beside it, the belfry - also called the Campanario de Dumaguete (belfry).
The lower part of the belfry is much older, as it was built upon one of the four original massive watchtowers that in the 1760s (alternate dating would be between 1774-1776) were used to look for and warn against approaching slave raiders and/or pirates. The upper layers, which now constitute the belltower were actually added in 1867 (Click the picture of the marker on the left to see a larger version of it).
The bellfry, made of coral and brick, was restored in 1987, during which the garden and grotto of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was added at the base.
Based on older pictures I found in the "Fortress of Empire" book, I think people lit up candles and said prayers at the base of the Campanario. I guess that the stands for candles in front of the grotto were placed there after the 1987 restoration.
When lighted up at night, the belfry looks beautiful.
I am not sure if the building below is connected to the Cathedral as it stands adjacent to the belfry. I took its picture because I found the architecture reminiscent of the bahay na bato. I think it is relatively new though, and houses the Medjugorje Peace Centre.
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