Off the beaten track: Pan-ay Church Bells in Pan-ay, Capiz
Posted by on December 18, 2008
Even before I set foot in Roxas a few weeks ago, my mind was already set that I have to go to the town of Pan-ay to check out its Baroque church and church bells.
The church bells are actually the highlight of my trip to Pan-ay. But what really makes the church bells of Pan-ay stand out from the other bells? This one?s is said to be the largest church bell in Asia, and the third largest in the world.
According to the signage posted inside the belfry, the largest among the 9 church bells was cast on December of 1878. It weighs 10.4 tons and was made using 70 sacks of coins. When rang, its sound can be heard up to eight kilometres. All the nine bells are rung manually. No machines are used to toll the bells.
To reach the bells one needs to climb 63 steps of stairs.
When I first saw the bells, I was awestruck at its humongous size. It was just so big! Probably a person three times my size can still fit inside the bell. I saw an entire family who went inside the bell for a photo op.
There is no entrance fee to get to the belfry, but a donation box where proceeds are used for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the church bells and the belfry.
If you got there and the belfry door is closed, just ask permission from the parish office. If a Holy Mass is still on going when you get there, better finish the mass first before climbing up the belfry.
There are public transport available from Roxas City to Pan-ay. But I decided to take a tricycle when I went there. Rate is approximately 50-70 Pesos. Be sure to agree on the fare rate with the driver before going to Pan-ay.
i was fortunate to have visited this church too just last february! and they even tolled the bells while we were right next to it! haha. we didn’t go deaf, though.
i was able to go here too! kapagod lang yung stairs and medyo katakot kasi yung iba, ang steep. but its all worth it dba
whoaa. cool… I would love to go back there again.. hehe. But my friend who is from Pan-ay told me that its not the largest in Asia anymore.. I just cant confirm if its true. Anyways more power… hehe
hmmmmm
BYAHILO PHOTO HUNT