The Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat is one of 12 minor basilicas in the Philippines. It is distinguished as the home to the venerated Black Virgin Mary.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Piat is located in the town of Piat, which is 30 minutes away by land from Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province. This pilgrimage site attracts a large number of devotees especially on July 1 and 2 when the feast of Nuestra Señora de Piat is celebrated.
The first thing I noticed that was different about the Basilica of Our Lady of Piat was its entrance arch. It was located at the back of the church. You’d have to go around from the entrance to see the the church facade.
Basilica of Our Lady entrance arch
Side entrance of the basilica
Image of the Black Virgin Mary
Image of the Black Virgin Mary or Nuestra Señora de Visitacion (Our Lady of the Visitation) was made by the Chinese in Macao from where it was sent to the Philippines. It is not certain what the reasons were to have it transferred to Manila … then to the city of Nueva Segovia (now La-lo, Cagayan) … and finally, to Piat. Perhaps the friars at the time looked down on it because it was too dark (“muy morena”) and not made of ivory, which was the fashion at the time. One thing is known though, the people of Piat seemed to have fallen in love with the image. Although the statue did not have the face and hands of ivory, the dark color of the Virgin Mary may have been more appealing. Especially since the townspeople believed the image to be miraculous.
Image of Our Lady of the Visitation
Reference: History of Our Lady of Piat
Our Lady of Piat Basilica Exteriors
The church structure mainly made of bricks. Red Brick churches seemed to be common in Cagayan, which is a contrast to old churches made of limestone and coral stone in many parts of the Philippines. Located in the midst of the Cagayan River, the largest river in the Philippines, it could have been more practical to build churches made of clay bricks in Cagayan Valley. Our Lady of Piat Basilica sports a simple facade flanked with a tall belfry. It is located on top of a hill with the intention to avoid floods brought about by the seasonal overflowing of the Cagayan River.
Basilica of Our Lady of Piat facade
Our Lady of Piat Basilica Basilica Interiors
The interiors also looked clean and simple. I liked the curved ceiling made of wood.
Interiors of Basilica of Our Lady of Piat
Other Structures
Piat Basilica Museum
Restaurant and Snack House
Store for religious items
Probably the parish convent
Pathway leading down to the river
Brick fence beside the Church
Outside the entrance arch
Piat’s Pawa
On our way out, Eric bought a pack of these unassuming circular snack food called “Pawa” at P15 per pack. We took a bite when we were already on the van back to Tuguegarao. It tasted really good! The tasty peanut filling was a gustatory surprise. We regretted not buying more of these.
Pawa and other delicacies of Piat sold at stalls outside the basilica
Getting to Piat
The terminal for the “Piat” vans can be found at the Buntun Westbound terminal. It’s actually located just past Hotel Ivory. The van ride from Tuguegarao to Piat took 30 minutes and costs P60 per passenger.
Buntun Bridge
Van terminal in Piat
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