The second day of our Visita Iglesia in Cagayan started in Piat at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat. It serves as a major religious center in northern Luzon and is widely recognized as the “Pilgrimage Center of Northeast Luzon,” largely because it houses the centuries-old image of Our Lady of Piat, a dark-toned Marian icon venerated by devotees across the region.
The history of the devotion dates back to 1604, when Dominican missionaries brought a black image of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus from Macau to the Philippines. Originally known as Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario, the image was transferred among early mission centers such as Lal-lo, Tuguegarao, and Piat. When it was once replaced by another image from Manila, the local community insisted on the return of the original, which was eventually brought back and enshrined in Piat. This early attachment reflects the strong and sustained devotion that developed around the image.
By 1623, the image was solemnly installed in a sanctuary following a large religious gathering attended by thousands of people from neighboring towns. The event marked an important stage in the spread of Christianity in the Cagayan Valley, with the shrine becoming an early focal point of religious life in the region. Over time, the sanctuary was expanded, and in the 18th century a more permanent structure was constructed on a hill to protect it from flooding caused by the nearby Chico River.
The present church, completed in 1875, reflects a Romanesque style adapted to local materials. It is primarily built of red bricks, a common feature among churches in the Cagayan Valley. The façade is simple and is accompanied by a tall belfry, while the layout of the site requires visitors to pass through an entrance arch at the back and walk around to reach the main front. Inside, the church features a curved wooden ceiling with historical images along the upper walls, and the revered image of Our Lady of Piat is enshrined at the altar within a glass case.
A distinct feature of the basilica is the access provided to devotees behind the altar, where a staircase leads to a small window that allows close proximity to the image. This space is commonly used for quiet prayer. Surrounding the church are additional devotional areas, including spaces for candles, Stations of the Cross, and other religious structures that support the continuous flow of pilgrims.
The church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica in 1997 through a papal decree and was later formally dedicated in 1999,