The Caleruega Transfiguration Chapel is located further up the hill of Caleruega Retreat Center in Nasugbu in the province of Batangas and is about 2 hours drive from Metro Manila.
The chapel is surrounded by towering pine trees and scenic gardens lined with brick pathways. We had some time to roam the grounds before the wedding started.
If you are attending a wedding here and will be wearing heels, bring flats because it is quite difficult walking, going up the stairs and into the chapel with heels on. Parking was a bit far from the Chapel but walking around was a visual treat because of the lush greenery and mountain views that Caleruega offers.
The facade of the Caleruega Transfiguration Chapel is breathtaking, like a scene of a perfect love story. I guess that's why people get married there, everything looks absolutely lovely. Fair warning, the steps are quite numerous. Walking the flights of stairs, you will surely need to catch your breath while ascending. There were grandmothers attending the same wedding we were going to so we offered to help them, holding their arms while we ascended these stairs.
The main facade of the Caleruega Retreat Center's administration building has a roundabout/ fountain masterpiece that is the first touch of elegance you will see prior to entering the center and the chapel. Here you will also see the first of many flight of steps.
This is the inquiry section where all your queries and reservation for retreat center and chapel’s schedules will be accommodated.
There were quite a number of people, probably because it was Saturday and there were retreats and people inquiring about weddings.
In the lobby there are many visitors also taking pictures and lining up for the restrooms.
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Once you enter the building, a grand staircase immediately greets you. Iron wrought chandeliers and mosaic chapel windows add to the beauty of its interiors.
It is truly eye-catching with its shining steps and an even bigger Victorian-like chandelier.
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Finding your way up the hill where the chapel is located is not a problem if you pay attention to this sign kiosk. Everything points the same way, just keep going up the steps.
In the middle going up the hill, you will find this gazebo and flowers along the way to picnic gazebos inside. I think it was a picnic area with tables and chairs.
These next photos feel like they are from a scene of the Secret Garden.
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Flowers, plants, and trees everywhere, that is why this retreat center and the chapel has slogan -
"Close to nature,
Closer to God".
This is the Transfiguration Chapel's side view where on the right is the same stairs the bride will walk in during the wedding. The brick walls and the pine trees of its perimeter make it more dramatic and felt like different church among typical Philippines churches.
The inside of the chapel was packed with people, since it was a bit on the small side, some guests had to stand near the entrance to witness the wedding ceremony. I guess it's perfect for an intimate wedding venue.
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Another interesting sight in the gardens was the Mother Mary and Baby Jesus' statue located in most scenic area just beside the church.
Standing here, you will have peek of breath-taking view of the hills of Caleruega.
In the view, we saw a farmer and his Carabao (water buffalo) scraping the soil to put, what we suspect is another round of pineapples.
Walking outside the retreat center and the chapel, you will find other interesting places to pass by like this gazebo with an ongoing outdoor wedding.
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All shots by my husband @greymonolith with his Samsung J5.
More pathways leading to the hanging bridge and the outdoor wedding area. We had been walking for a few minutes then and we went back to the chapel for the wedding ceremony.
Watching the sceneries at Caleruega refreshed and relaxed us, I imagine it would be more relaxing to attend a retreat while enjoying the beautiful sights and weather.
The hanging bridge was something my kids would enjoy and these photos show that Caleruega is worth a trip from the metro to relax and free your mind from worries.
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