Limestone Formations in Sagada

When I was doing my research on Sagada, I already knew what sort of stuff to expect here. However, one of the things I didn’t expect to see here was karst or limestone formations. The entire Sagada itself probably sits on top of a huge limestone deposit. I have been to numerous karst places in the Philippines and outside the country, and I must say that I am totally fascinated with them, but seeing it here in Sagada was totally unexpected.

Karst On a Mountainside

The village itself is built around the karst formations some of them have sadly been cut through to make way for a road or a house. I even saw a house built on top of a solid piece of limestone. I guess I should have put two and two together since Sagada has caves, it is only natural for them to have karst. Along the way to the cave, there were several more impressive limestone formations, although they weren’t as impressive as the karst of El Nido in Palawan or Yangshuo in China, it is always a wonder for me to see them.

On Closer Inspection There was a Hanging Coffin Beneath It

One of the more bizarre sights I saw along the way to the cave was some hanging coffins right below some limestone formations. Ian or Enzo, my guide had to point it out to me because it wasn’t obvious. The wooden coffins were supported by wooden stakes hammered into the limestone wall. For one of the coffins, the skull of the deceased was even up for display on top of the coffin. Bizarre as this tradition may be, but this is the real tradition in Sagada and is still being practiced to this day.

Tags: cave, coffin, karst, limestone, Mr. Province, Philippines, Sagada