🌸 Temple of Leah – Where Love Was Carved Into Stone
- SkyViewHome Condotel
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 20
✍️ By Mery – Skyviewhome Superhost & Real Estate Salesperson
Hello again, it’s Mery.This week, I want to take you somewhere truly special. A place that left me speechless not because of its size or height—but because of the love story it holds.
Welcome to the Temple of Leah, often called Cebu’s Taj Mahal. But honestly? It’s not just about architecture. It’s about a promise, a memory, and a lifetime of love made eternal in stone.
💖 A Monument of Love – The Story Behind the Temple
The Temple of Leah was built by Teodorico Adarna, as a tribute to his wife, Leah Albino-Adarna, with whom he shared more than five decades of marriage.
This wasn’t just a display of grandeur—it was a deeply personal promise fulfilled. He built this place to hold the books she read, the antiques she collected, and the many things she loved during her lifetime.
More than anything, he wanted future generations to know her—to remember her not just through stories, but by walking through her memories. Isn’t that beautiful?
🏛️ A Place of Grandeur – With a View to Match
Perched high on the hills of Busay, this temple feels like you’re walking into a scene from ancient Rome or Greece. From massive granite columns to intricately carved statues and marble floors, every detail here whispers of old-world elegance.
The bronze lion statues guarding the gates, the sweeping staircases, and the golden statue of Leah seated like a queen—it’s a place where love meets legacy. And oh, the view! 🌄You can see all of Cebu City spread out below you, with mountain winds gently brushing past. It’s
magical.
📍How to Get There – Easy Travel Tips
The temple is around 8 km from Cebu City center, and getting there is easy:
🚖 Taxi or Grab: ₱300–₱400 (one-way), often includes wait time
🛵 Habal-habal (motorbike) from JY Square: ₱100–₱150 per person
🚗 Self-drive: Via Cebu Transcentral Highway – wide roads, good parking
🚌 “Go To Tops” shuttle: Check their Facebook page for schedules
💡 Tip: Visit early morning or just before sunset. The lighting is stunning, the breeze cooler, and fewer crowds around.
🎨 What’s Inside? – Leah’s World Preserved
Step inside, and you’ll find Leah’s life laid out like pages of a beautiful book.
A 9-foot bronze statue of Leah greets you in the main hall
A golden version of her from her university days, surrounded by angels
24 chambers filled with her antique furniture, vases, books, jewelry, dolls, and mementos
Art galleries, sculptures, and even a personal library
A quiet sense of presence—as if she’s still there, welcoming you in
Everything you see here belonged to her, cherished by her—and now shared with the world. It’s like walking into someone’s heart.
🎟️ Visiting Info – Hours & Entrance Fees
🕒 Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (some reports say up to 11 PM or 12 MN—check before going!)
💵 Entrance Fee: ₱120 (Weekdays), ₱150 (Weekends)
👶 Kids below 4 feet or 10 years old: Often free
🅿️ Parking: ₱50 (cars), ₱30 (motorbikes)
📸 Photoshoot Fee: ₱2,500–₱5,000 (for pro sessions)
📞 Contact: +63 906 324 5687 (Call or check their official FB page)
Don’t forget to bring cash—cards might not be accepted!
🌄 Nearby Places You’ll Love
Want to make it a full-day trip? These gems are close by:
🌸 Sirao Flower Garden – “Little Amsterdam” of Cebu
🔭 Tops Lookout – Sunset views worth the ride
🏯 Taoist Temple – Peaceful and culturally rich
🍽️ Balay sa Busay, Top of Cebu, La Vie in the Sky – Scenic restaurants nearby
It’s a perfect itinerary for couples, families, or anyone chasing both beauty and meaning.
💬 A Note from Mery
The Temple of Leah is more than stone and statues. It’s a love letter written in marble, a promise honored through time.
When I visited, I wasn’t just impressed—I was moved. Because sometimes, the most powerful love stories aren’t in novels or movies... they’re in real places, like this one.
If you’re ever in Cebu, please make time to come here. Walk through Leah’s world. Breathe in the mountain air. And let the quiet, steady presence of love remind you of what truly lasts. 🕊️
📌 More stories like this every week at
Comments