Our Lady of the Pillar Church
This exquisitely designed Hispanic church, dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Pilar, is renowned for its well-preserved ruins and historical significance. Established by Dominican missionaries, it became a full-fledged parish in 1741.
The church, located in Cauayan City, is noted for its imposing Baroque architecture and breathtaking interiors. A highlight is the majestic fresco above the altar, depicting “The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” which beautifully captures the church’s grandeur and spiritual essence.
San Pablo Church
San Pablo Church, built in 1624, is the oldest church in Isabela and a historical landmark in the province. It is best known for its impressive six-level bell tower, which stands as the tallest in the Cagayan Valley. The bell tower, or campanario, is constructed from adobe blocks and features a distinctive circular apex. San Pablo itself, founded by Padre de Sto. Tomas, is Isabela’s oldest town, established 210 years before the province was officially created.
Saint Matthias Parish Church
Saint Matthias Parish Church is an ultra-Baroque church renowned for its extensive use of bricks in both its exterior and interior ornamentation, a choice made due to the lack of good-quality stones in the area. A closer look at the brick façade reveals numbers and dates, marking the correct sequence of bricks in Forto’s design.
Attached to the church’s façade is a unique cylindrical belfry, built in 1805 during the colonial era. It is the only known Spanish colonial-era cylindrical tower in the country, with a tiered structure that notably resembles a wedding cake. The bell within the belfry, though pierced with bullet holes, was never recast.
Our Lady of Atocha Church
The Our Lady of Atocha Church in Alicia is a notable example of Castilian architecture, originally built by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century. Dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Atocha (Our Lady of Atocha), this historic church has become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Isabela, especially during Holy Week.
Shrine of Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang
The Shrine of Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang is home to the Miraculous Lady of the Visitation. The church can accommodate up to 10,000 devotees, especially during the Lenten season. The image was crowned by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines on May 26, 1973, and the church was declared a national shrine by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on January 26, 1986.
It has since been renovated into a full-sized church to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims, especially on her feast day, celebrated on July 2. On February 3, 2023, Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, led the Mass and Solemn Dedication of the rebuilt National Shrine of Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang.
Isabela Museum and Library
The Isabela Museum and Library (IML) Building, located in Barangay Osmeña, Ilagan, was originally the Isabela Provincial Capitol Building, serving as the seat of the provincial government from 1950 to 1991.
Over the years, the IML has undergone various uses and renovations. It served as a temporary office shelter for the Municipal Government of Ilagan from 2004 to 2006 and was later utilized by several organizations. Significant renovations were undertaken in 2017 under Governor Faustino G. Dy III, and by 2020, the building was fully rehabilitated.
In 2019, over 46,000 books were donated by Children’s International (Kansas, USA), which were distributed to isolated and disadvantaged areas. The museum’s ground level features diverse exhibits, including the Tilamsik ng Liwanag Exhibit and the Art Capital of the North Gallery, while the library houses 22,000 books, periodicals, and other materials.
Supervised by the Isabela Tourism Office, the museum is affiliated with the National Library of the Philippines and was officially accredited by the Department of Tourism on September 21, 2023. This accreditation, conferred during a ceremony in Tuguegarao City, recognized the IML as a Gallery/Museum.
The IML houses the “Paglikom sa Kayamanan ng Lahi” program, dedicated to collecting and preserving cultural treasures and safeguarding Isabela’s vibrant cultural legacy for future generations. The IML has also significantly contributed to the province’s Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) in tourism, culture, and the arts. The museum is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Aguinaldo Shrine
Although Isabela did not play a major role in the revolt against Spain, it was in Palanan where a pivotal chapter of the Philippine Revolution came to a close. On March 23, 1901, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines, was captured by American forces led by Gen. Frederick Funston.
In recognition of this historic event and Aguinaldo’s enduring legacy as a symbol of Filipino resistance and patriotism, the site was named the Aguinaldo Shrine, a proud reminder of the nation’s long and courageous struggle for independence.
Landmark of Heroes
The artistic sculptural monument, Landmark of Heroes, was created by artist-sculptor Joel Pragas, an adopted son of Jones. It is now the most sought-after piece of art found only in Jones.
The shrine depicts the historic Battle of Payac—a still untold facet of Jones’ history—where hundreds of native Cagayanos, led by a certain Lagutao, rose in rebellion against the Spaniards in 1787. This portrayal is based on the exhaustive research of the late Father Ambrosio Manaligod and artist Joel Pragas. Also enshrined are the busts of past mayors of Jones.
Ilagan Japanese Tunnel
The Ilagan Japanese Tunnel is a historical site located in Barangay Santo Tomas, Ilagan City, Isabela, Philippines. It is a World War II–era tunnel built by the Japanese as a military base and shelter. The tunnel measures approximately 40 meters in length and over three meters in both height and width. It has since been restored and is now open to the public as a tourist destination.
Queen Isabela Park
Located in Alibagu, City of Ilagan, Queen Isabela Park is a peaceful public space named after Queen Isabella II of Spain, the namesake of the province of Isabela.
The park is a popular spot for locals to relax, take walks, or enjoy small community events. With its shaded areas, open spaces, and a few historical markers, it offers a simple yet meaningful place for reflection and connection.
