Located in the town of Dauis, three kilometers from Tagbilaran City, Dauis Church is one of Bohol’s beautiful churches that has retained its Spanish architecture despite a semi-modern façade. It was built in the year 1697, its design largely influenced by Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. Beautiful frescoes painted in 1916 by a painter named Ray Francia decorate the entire ceiling of the church.

The patron saint, the Virgin of the Assumption, is believed to possess miraculous powers. It is the object of the faithful, who attend its annual festivities. Legend has it that when the town was invaded by pirates, the townfolk locked themselves inside the church until they ran out of water and provisions. Then suddenly a well appeared at the foot of the altar where people started drawing water. It is still the main source of water for the people living in the church vicinity. Surprisingly, the water is absolutely fresh even as the well is located only a few meters from the sea.

View of the church from the back (pier at the riverside)

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photos courtesy of Wikimedia.org under Creative Commons