Dumalag's Circular Cemetery

How often do you visit a circular cemetery? Not that frequent, maybe. 

Just like Paco in Manila and Nagcarlan, Laguna, the town of Dumalag in Capiz boasts a rare Spanish-era cemetery designed and constructed in a circular form.

Called "Campo Santo" by the locals, the cemetery—like the nearby 19th century Catholic church— was constructed under the behest of Fr. Angel de Abasolo, an Agustinian priest who served the people of Dumalag from 1864 until 1879.

 The wall is made of limestone, with its façade topped with a triangular pediment with a bas relief of a skull and crossbones at the center and flanked by two columns. Sadly the beauty of the limestone was now covered by a coat of cement.

Lining the inner side  of the circular wall are niches where the bones of the departed are

deposited. A modern chapel stands at the center of the cemetery, while behind it, at the opposite end of the gate, is the ruins of the Spanish-era chapel. by Christian George F. Acevedo, November 31, 2023

You might also want to read:

• Neglected Cemeteries are Heritage Sites, too 
• Who's Who of Banica Cemetery?
• Recuerdo de Patay: Memory of the Dead

Sources:

• Ensayo de una biblioteca ibero-americana de la Orden de San Agustin by  Gregorio de Santiago Vela, Bonifacio Moral, 1913.
• Capiz Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office
• Sementeryo FB Page
• Mike Ignacio

Photo sources:

• [1] Capiz Tourism and Cultural Affairs
• [2] Amazing Dumalag FB page
• [3] Mike Ignacio