The first recorded accounts of mayon's eruption were made by the franciscan priests during 18th century. It's most destructive explosion occurred in February 1814,when clouds of volcanic gas and waves of mud and lava destroyed the town of cagsawa, about 16 kilometers away. More than 1,200 lives were lost. What remained was the church's bell tower and a few stone roofs,visible to this day and nearly as postcard-famous as volcano itself
