The Philippines is filled with colonial churches that were once witnesses of the country’s rich history and culture. The 17th-century Caraga Church in Mindanao denotes Dabawenyos rich history and the role it played in history.

Seventy meters from the edge of a built-in port made of ancient rocks overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Caraga Church is considered as one of the oldest churches in Mindanao. It is located in the town proper of Caraga. The church houses the 1802 church bell brought by the friars from Spain along with the antique image of San Isidro Labrador and other ancient files and archives. Baptismal registry from year 1835 up to present is still intact. These documents proved that from 1835 up to 1846, it was formerly used by the Spaniards as a prison cell during their era.

How to get there

Mati, the provincial capital of Davao Oriental, can be reached from Manila by taking any of the daily scheduled airline flights to Davao City or regularly scheduled inter-island vessels that ply the Manila-Davao City route. From Davao City, Mati is accessible by 25-minute chartered plane or via 3-hour private car ride or a 4-hour public utility bus ride on a fully concreted and/or asphalted highways.