Ilocos Region

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

Unlike other town churches in the Philippines, which conform to the Spanish tradition of sitting on the central plaza, the Church with its Convento is on a hill surrounded by a defensive wall. Also unusual are the sitting of the Convento parallel to the facade of the church and that of the separate bell tower (characteristic of Philippine-Hispanic architecture) at the midpoint of the nave wall. This was dictated by the hill on which it is located.