"True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart."
Finding the person whom you love and can live with forever is an extreme happiness. However, losing that person can also be the worst. Imagine living with that person for such a long time and then suddenly waking up one day without the love of your life anymore. It would be excruciating.
This husband's agony must be the reason behind the construction of this temple which was built in commemoration of his loving wife.
Temple of Leah was constructed in the year 2012 by business tycoon Teodorico Adarna (the grandfather of the Filipina actress Ellen Adarna) as a symbol for his undying love and ceaseless devotion to his late wife Leah Villa Albino-Adarna. He was married to his wife for 53 years and it's wonderful that after a long time of being together, he still loves her just the same.
Temple of Leah is now labeled as the Taj Mahal of Cebu. While this is a shrine that holds the memory and treasures of Leah, the well known Taj Mahal in India on the other hand is a mausoleum which was built by Shan Jahan because of his immense love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. These two were both built out of their undying love for their wife. It is indeed a very sweet gesture.
I went there last June as part of our travel's itinerary with no expectations at all. But upon entering the place, I was mesmerized with it as it gave us a feels of ancient Rome and Greece. You can immediately notice that the structures are ancient Roman inspired especially with the temple's columns. Different statues also embelish the corners and different parts of the building.
There is an intricately designed fountain in the middle while there is these two lions which acts as a guard on both sides of the stairs leading to the shrine.
The temple's main attraction is of course Leah's 9 foot bronze statue. On both sides of the grand staircase which will lead you to the statue is the brass angels.
There is a brass plaque which can be found besides the statue of Leah and this is what is written in there:
“I constructed this temple in the year 2012 A.D. as a symbol of my undying love for and ceaseless devotion to Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, my wife of 53 years. I adopted an architectural design that can withstand time and still be appreciated for a millennium so this temple will become a landmark of Cebu, where future generations of the Adarna clan coming from her can come and trace their roots and heritage. All her lifetime collections are showcased in the 24 chambers of this Temple principally for the members of our family who cherish her memory."
The temple also features a museum, an art gallery and a library which contains all favorite posessions of Leah but I think it isn't open to the public yet and you can only look at it from the outside of the grand corridor since the building is still under construction.
The corridor where the library can be viewed from the outside
The courtyard offers a stunning overlooking view of the highlands of Cebu and there are also some chairs and tables where you can stay while enjoying your food and the scenery.
It rained for a while during the time we paid a visit but it didn't stop us from admiring the beautiful temple which was built out of Teodorico Adarna's strong and undying love for his wife. It is indeed a sight to behold.
All photos belong to the author @enjieneer using iPhone 6s and GoPro Hero5 camera
References:
https://www.tajmahal.org.uk
http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/history-and-culture/5344/cebu-temple-of-leah-shrine
'Til next time,
Is there an entrance fee?
There is a P50 entrance fee ☺️
Oh my, how very beautiful. He must have loved her a lot.
I agree. He wouldnt spend millions in this if he didnt love her that much.. Such a sweet guy!
ooohhh, thanks for this info. Didn't know that we have such establishment here in the country.
Anyway, its great that you and yours have visited the place. Truly a great place to visit for couples :)
Thanks Paps! This is really a place that's worth visiting, even if you only have your friends and family with you 😊
I like the story of how the husband contructed that temple. So the name of his wife is Lea since it is called Temple of Lea. I have been in Cebu several times but havent visited this temple of love yet. Ganda.. Gonna visit that place sooner.. :)
You should definitely visit this too sis. Maganda yung place promise. Though it's not yet finished. Paano nalang sguro pag tapos na talaga sya
Hope to be there soon.
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Beautiful Place, and Beautiful structure, nice shot and most of all beautiful steemians..
Ohh. Pumunta ka pala sa Cebu? Sayang, pa autograph po sana kami. haha
Haha oo! Pero hindi pa ko nagSteemit nyan hahaha. Napuntahan mo na to?
@alchemage has voted on behalf of @minnowpond. If you would like to recieve upvotes from minnowponds team on all your posts, simply FOLLOW @minnowpond.
To receive an upvote send 0.25 SBD to @minnowpond with your posts url as the memo To receive an reSteem send 0.75 SBD to @minnowpond with your posts url as the memo To receive an upvote and a reSteem send 1.00SBD to @minnowpond with your posts url as the memoPagpumunta ba ako dyan, makikita ko na forever ko? Hahaha, anyway, iba talaga nagagawa ng pag-ibig.
hahaha who knows? you wouldnt know if you wouldnt try 😉char! haha
I’d have to save money first. He has to wait for me while I’m steeming hahahaha
Sana sakin may magpagawa din ng kahit maliit na garden of roses.
aww parang nice idea nga yun. sobrang sweet lang kpag may gumawa dn satin nya. hindi nman need na sobrang grand haha.
yes yesss <3 <3 but I heard ganda daw talaga ng lola ni ellen adarna
Unconditional love. Parang yung Taj Mahal in India. Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos, sis!
Parang Taj mahal nga sis pero mas grand yun. hehe thanks for dropping by sis!
Beautiful temple of Leah. <3
Good to know more about this amazing temple, my daughter just visited it few days ago...I hope i can go there soon too!
Beautiful place! I wish I can go there someday!
Another reason to visit cebu
What a faithful man! OMG! She was a lucky woman, too. Friend, you took these pictures very well. I like the country yard where there is a reflection of the skies. I wish to come in Temple of Leah too. The view is amazing like we're drifted in Rome and Taj Mahal. The only view that bothers me is the contrast color of the garbage dump. hahaha.
Beautiful thanks for this informative blog. I feel i"m on it. I up voted this and resteem for lovely place and awesome picture love it. @enjieneer
Thanks for such a beautiful and well written post, most informative and very loving, you get my first vote of the day
This post UpVoted from @oliverbix
