Budiao Church ruins excavated after more than 200 years

BUDIAO RUINS. Buried during Mayon volcano's deadliest eruption in 1814, the Budiao Church ruins are located in Bañadero village. All photos by Rhaydz Barcia/Rappler

ALBAY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Archaeologists from the University of the Philippines (UP) are excavating the ruins of the historic Budiao Church, which were buried during Mayon volcano's deadliest eruption in 1814.

The Budiao Ruins are located in Bañadero village. Only the walls of the church remain visible.

According to municipal tourism officer Angela Marie Pacres, the excavation started last April 23.

"They want to see if there are remaining artifacts and check if the Budiao [Church] was truly buried by the volcano's eruption in 1814," she said.

Evangelina Recto, who is leading the UP team, said they want to assess the structural development of the stone chambers, building materials and techniques, and what's left of floor furnishing and fittings.

Residents of Bañadero and Budiao continue to visit the Budiao Ruins site, which is eyed as a new tourist destination in the province, alongside the Cagsawa Ruins. (READ: 6 spots in Albay that are safe for sightseeing)

"The Budiao Church ruins would be a new tourist destination of the municipality of Daraga and of the province of Albay. The church archaeology of Budiao is the newest contribution to Philippine archaeology," said site director Leee Anthony Neri.

The Budiao Ruins is about 25 kilometers away from the Cagsawa Ruins, which would be up for excavation next, according to Pacres.

See more photos below:

INTACT. Under the earth is the intact structure of the Budiao Church, buried by Mayon volcano's deadliest eruption.

SITE OF RUINS. Here is where the Budiao Ruins are hidden.

VISITORS. Locals and tourists are drawn to the Budiao Ruins.

– Rappler.com