San Nicolas is along Taal Lake and is the smallest town in the province of Batangas. It is so small for it was part of the town of Taal, and only became a separate town in 1955. Inevitably, its history is closely linked to Taal.
The largest basilica in Asia which now stands in Taal is actually Taal’s second basilica.
TAAL’S FIRST BASILICA
(from WIKIPEDIA) “In 1575, 3 years after the founding of Taal town in its old site near the shores of Taal Lake work began on the construction of its first church by Father Diego Espinar (O.S.A.) with Saint Martin of Tours as patron saint. The church was rebuilt in 1642 using stronger materials but in 1754, it was destroyed along with the town of Taal in the largest recorded eruption of Taal Volcano This event led to transfer of the town and the church farther away from the volcano to its present site atop an elevated hill facing Balayan Bay. The ruins of the previous church can still be seen in San Nicolas.”
The first basilica is now nothing but ruins, but is the most interesting spot in San Nicolas that draws visitors to this little town. I did a copy paste of the church ruins history posted outside of the ruins.
Noticeably, the structure is principally made of corals, just like how most of the churches in southern Luzon and the Visayas were made.
One can not help but visualize how the church stood in its glory days even as there is now nothing except its shell.
Today, statues of saints have been erected outside of the walls of the ruins.
GATEWAY TO TAAL VOLCANO
While the town of Talisay is the default gateway, loading hundreds of visitors onto boats for a visit to the volcano island, the town of Nicolas lays claim to being the real gateway. They are the closest to the volcano, about 3-4 kilometers away, and a mere 30 minute boat ride.
The promenade that the town has built around the lake draws visitors for a view of the lake, the volcano, and Mt. Maculot on the background.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN SAN NICOLAS
Other than taking a boat ride and trekking Taal, here are two interesting things to do in San Nicolas.
Have lunch at the local restaurant serving the very rare maliputo, a fish species caught only in Taal Lake. On one visit, I had one cooked two ways (a portion was grilled, the other portion made into sinigang). And the famous tawilis. Unfortunately, they do not have these everyday. Try your luck.
(photo taken by my friend Bobby Taron)
BIRD SANCTUARY
(photo taken by my friend Bobby Taron)I did not experience this myself. But the tourism poster at the maliputo place indicated that this is a special attraction in San Nicolas.
LAKWATSA 