Built by the congregation of the Marian Monks of the Eucharistic Adoration in 1998, the Shrine to Our Lady of Lindogon owes its fame not only for the sprawling castle-like structure in the middle of a lush farming mountainside, but also for its believed miracles during the height of an epidemic that killed many children in the area.The Marian Shrine stands in the hilly area of upper Lindogon in barangay Simala, Sibonga town, in the island of Cebu, in the Visayas- a gleaming white gem against the backdrop of green countryside. Donations from the faithful pilgrims helped build this church that is seemingly inspired by European gothic architecture. From many vantage points, the structure can pass for a fortress or a castle for a period fantasy film like “Lord of the Rings”, or perhaps a magical kingdom in cinematic fiction like “Harry Potter”.Simala is a little over two hours away from Cebu City. To get there, you can grab a bus at the Cebu South Bus Terminal located along N. Bacalso Avenue beside Elizabeth Mall. Tell the bus conductor or driver to drop you at the road leading up to the shrine, at which point you will have to ride a motorcycle for hire, known locally as habal-habal to get to the shrine’s entrance. Another option is to walk past the South Bus Terminal, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Cebu City Medical Center to get to the Citi Link Transit Station where you can ride a van that’ll take you directly to the entrance of the shrine for fare of about 200PhP. Write us at [email protected] to know more about shooting locations in the Philippines.