One of nature’s greatest wonders lies just an hour’s drive from Manila. Nestled in the middle of Taal Lake, Taal Volcano is a little stunner that offers breathtaking views worth experiencing up close.

On a recent day trip, my family and I decided to take a little boat ride to get a closer view of the island where the volcano lies. We didn’t actually get off the boat as it was currently prohibited to get on the island due to the volcano’s active state. We did get a nice up close view of it though. It was great!

Taal Volcano has a rich geological and cultural past. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region with intense volcanic activity. It began forming around 500,000 years ago through a series of eruptions. The caldera we see today was created during a massive eruption around 5,000 years ago.

What makes Taal unique is its location. It sits on an island within a lake, the Taal Lake. It’s a volcano within a volcano. And that phenomenon is rare worldwide.

Taal Volcano has erupted multiple times throughout history. The most devastating eruption occurred in 1754, forcing the inhabitants of Taal town to relocate to safer areas. The town of San Nicolas, now submerged beneath Taal Lake, was another casualty. In 1977, Taal erupted again, causing ashfall in nearby towns. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. The most recent significant eruption occurred in January 2020. Ash plumes reached high altitudes, affecting Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Thousands of residents were evacuated, and the landscape changed once more.

Now, a little bit about the town. Before the Spanish colonized the Philippines, Taal was considered sacred by the Tagalog people. They believed it was the home of the gods and spirits. The name “Taal” itself comes from the Tagalog word “tala,” meaning “star.” When the Spaniards arrived, they established settlements around the Lake. The town of Taal, now known as Taal Heritage Town, became an important religious and cultural center. A lot of residential structures from the time still stands to this day, and they are gorgeous. The Basilica de San Martin de Tours, built in the 16th century, still stands as well as a testament to this era.. It is also considered to be the largest church building in all of Asia

Taal remains a captivating natural and historic wonder, blending geological marvels with cultural heritage. Witnessing it up close, and taking in the lake’s stunning vistas and the town’s architecture, it’s an adventure I won’t forget anytime soon.