Saturday, March 9, 2019

Marian Orchard - A Pilgrimage Site in Batangas






If you are looking for a solemn place for a retreat to pray and reflect, then there is a place for you to visit in Batangas province.

Welcome to Marian Orchard.




Marian Orchard is a religious themed pilgrimage site tuck away in a laid back community in Barangay Malabanan, Lipa, Batangas. It consists of a chapel, a 2 story bell tower with a Jesus Christ statue sitting on top of it, life size station of the cross around the sprawling property, a souvenir shop and several buildings for meditations and prayer and a small cafeteria.  

one of the life size statue of station of the cross

Marian Orchard is busy during the lenten season as a must go pilgrimage site in Batangas. But if you want to visit for a moment of silence to meditate and reflect, I am sure you will love to visit the place for a day. 

It's location is not actually difficult to go to. There are several modes of transportation that you can use to reach the place. 

So if you plan to visit Marian Orchard, I suggest you include in your itinerary The National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto Tomas, Batangas which is just about an hour away from Marian Orchard. 

The shrine of Padre Pio is another pilgrimage site In Batangas. I will try to write about this in another post. 





Acropolis Greece?  :) 

The chapel and the statue of Jesus.
It reminds me of the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.





Surprise Find: Bee Farms

There are several bee farms and stores selling honey along the road in barangay Malabanan. Probably due to the cool weather in Lipa and many trees around the area, the place is conducive to growing bees and harvesting honey. 

But we did not have the time to check because we were running out of time that day. I am thinking of visiting Marian Orchard another time and buy my supply of honey.  





How to get there.

If you are travelling by car from Manila:

Head south via SLEX and Star tollway to Batangas.
Exit at Balete exit to your right. Marian Orchard is about 6 km to your left.

If you are Taking public transport from Manila:

If you are taking bus to Batangas via star tollway, most buses drop passengers at SM Lipa. From SM Lipa take jeepney or bus going to Sto Tomas or Tanuan. Tell the driver to drop you at Jollibee Levitown. Behind Jollibee there are jeepneys going to Balete and will pass Marian Orchard. Or you may take tricycle from the same terminal. 

Things to know before you visit Marian Orchard:

ADDRESS:
Malabanan, Balete, Batangas
OPERATING HOURS:
Open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.  
Last entry at 5:00 PM.

Holy Masses:

Every first Fridays of the month, Saturdays and Sundays @ 4pm.

ENTRANCE DONATION:
P 50.00 Mondays to Fridays
P 80.00 Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays

Children below 3 ft come in FREE

Students, senior citizens, PWDs, and Balete residents enjoy all-season P 50.00 entrance.  
Just present valid ID.

For group bookings and reservations, please contact: