The Villa Escudero Church Museum, also known as the Escudero Private Museum, is a Spanish-era church-inspired building that houses one of the Philippines’ largest private collections of religious, historical, and cultural artifacts.
The structure’s signature pink façade, set amidst a vibrant courtyard garden, makes it not only a cultural treasure but also a visually striking destination for guests.
It is one of the highlights of the Villa Escudero resort experience, seamlessly blending heritage preservation with a rich tourism experience.
If coming from Casa Consuelo, the church museum is just a brief stroll away. We left using the staircase in the veranda that descends to the beautifully kept garden, where a dirt pathway connects visitors to the church museum.
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| The garden features neatly trimmed shrubs and bushes, and various other plants and trees. |
As we got closer, the church’s vibrant pink and white architectural details began to unravel. The church is surrounded by a matching pink fence adorned with wrought iron railings and stone pillars crowned with spherical ornaments.
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| In front of the fence is a neatly trimmed hedge and a dirt pathway that runs beside it. |
The church facade features multiple white columns with decorative moldings arranged symmetrically. An arched doorway occupies the ground level center, flanked by niches on either side containing religious statues.
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| At the very top of the church is a small bell tower with a cross. |
Within the middle tier are two arched windows, with an elaborately crafted niche in the center, housing the statue of Jesus Christ on the cross. Another statue of the Virgin Mary is gracefully positioned above it.
Please be advised that children below seven years old are not permitted to enter the museum, likely to safeguard the exhibits from potential harm. So if you will be traveling with children, there are benches just in front of the building where they can stay while waiting.
In addition, there is a designated play area for kids beside the church, where the little ones can happily spend their time.
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| Lola Charing’s playground. |
Access to the museum is through a pair of large, weathered wooden doors adorned with beaded curtains that hang in front. The entrance is framed by an arched doorway flanked by tall white columns with intricate capitals. A golden emblem, perhaps the owners’ family crest, is positioned at the top center of the arch.
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| Shrubs and potted plants on either side of the entrance adds a touch of natural greenery to the vibrant facade. |
Upon entering, ‘simply awesome’ becomes an understatement, barely capturing the essence of the experience, which gradually reveals itself as one wanders through the expansive gallery.
For starters, visitors are welcomed by an elaborate religious altar depicting the Virgin Mary surrounded by devotees and three crosses, lavishly decorated with two statues of Christ on the cross, alongside angels, gilded altar pieces, and intricate religious motifs.
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| On either side of this centerpiece are two staircases leading to the upper level. |
Equally impressive is the grand interior architecture, featuring an upper balcony that extends along both sides, complemented by columns, arches, beams, and a ceiling adorned with intricate carvings and exquisite paintings.
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| The ground floor is filled with large, elaborate religious artifacts, including life-size statues and procession floats, arranged in a central aisle. |
The overall atmosphere is solemn and reverent, setting the tone for what is perhaps one of the most extensive private collections of religious, historical, and rare cultural artifacts.
The main hall is essentially divided into five parts: a central aisle, with two walkways on either side. In addition, there are two separate inner walkways on either side of the main hall. The following videos provide a glimpse on how the collections are arranged in these areas.
Below is a short video of walking through the collection at the main hall of the lower gallery, from the point of entry to the front end and back.
Below is a short video of walking through the collection at the side halls of the lower gallery, from the point of entry to the front end and back.
Below is a short video of walking through the collection at the upper gallery, from the point of entry to the front end and back.
To be continued ...