Image of the Santo Niño
The image of the Santo Niño is the oldest religious image in the Philippines. The wooden image, made by Flemish artisans, was brought to the island by Fernao Magellan in 1521, just like the Magellan cross. Magellan gave the image Santo Niño to Queen Juana as a baptismal gift.
The miracle - Forty-four years later, In 1565, Cebu was for a big part destroyed by a fire. The fire was set on purpose by the Spaniards as a punishment for hostile activities of the Cebuanos. In one of the burned houses, a Spanish soldier found the image of Santo Niño. Remarkably unscratched! Since then, the miraculous image has been treated by the Cebuanos as its patron saint. At present, the miraculous image is kept in the Parish convent, and only a replica, adorned with gold and precious stones and enshrined in glass, is hold inside the Basilica Minor del Santo.
The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño
The church was built near the place where the Santo Niño was found in the burned house. On this place the Spaniards built three times a church.
The first two times the church was built out of wood and nipa. Every time it was burned down. The construction of the present church date from 1735. In 1965 the church was given the title of "Basilica Minor del Santo Niño".
Cebu Cathedral
The Cathedral dates back to 1591 and started of as a barn like structure made of wood, bamboo and nipa. It was the seat of the diocese which included the whole Visayas, Northern Mindanao and the Marianaa Islands.
In 1665 stone walls were added, over an extended period of time many changes were made making the Cathedral the landmark it is today. It was thought the Cathedral would never be finished due to typhoons, lack of funds and Cebu Cathedralvarious administrative changes.
During the 1890s with Bishop Juan Gorordo serving as Chaplin, the Cathedral was finally completed, being consecrated on June 24th, 1909.
Magellan Marker - Punta Engaño, Lapulapu City about 20 kms. from Cebu City. Encouraged by the success of Christianizing the people of Cebu, Magellan crossed the channel to Mactan Island in an effort to spread the faith. Before he reached the shores, he was killed by the chieftain of the island, Lapulapu and his men during the battle for supremacy and freedon on April 27, 1521. Efforts to retrieve the body of Magellan were futile inspite of the offer to trade jewelries and spices for his dead body. This marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where the great explorer died.
MAGELLAN'S CROSS - Magellan St. - Planted in April 14, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, this marks the spot where the first Christian Filipinos, Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana and about 400 followers were baptized by Fr. Pedro Valderama. In 1525 to 1740, the Agustinian priests built an open shrine for the cross, but the natives began to take chips from the cross believing it had miraculous power, so a kiosk destruction took place. To protect it further, a hollow cross of tindalo wood was made to encase the original cross which still stands today.
FORT SAN PEDRO- Located at the Pier Area, Cebu City - The smallest, oldest tri-bastion fort in the country. This served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. It has a total inside area of 2,025 sq. meters. The walls are 20 feet high, 8 feet thick and towers are 30 feet high from the ground level. Work first started on May 8, 1565 with MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI breaking the ground. After the battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey turned the forth to the local Cebuanos; then it became an American Warwick Barracks during the American Regime which was later converted into classrooms where the Cebuanos received formal education.
During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, it served as fortification for Japanese soldier, when the battle for liberation ws fought, the fort served as an army cam. After 1950, Cebu Garden Club took over and fixed the inner court into a miniature garden. For a couple of years it also housed th eCebu City Zoo. In 1978 to August 15, 1993, it housed the offices of the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism Authority. At present, it is under the care and administration of the National Museum.
LAPULAPU MONUMENT - Punta Engaño, Lapulapu City - Site where the battle between Mactan Island Chieftain Lapulapu and the foreign aggressor Ferdinand Magellan occured in April 27, 1521. It depicts the hero holding a bolo in one hand and a pestle on the other. Said weapons were believed to have been used during his combat with Magellan. This monument stands as a reminder of Filipino bravery.
UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS
P. Del Rosario St., Cebu City - The oldest school in the country established in 1565. This was formerly called Colegio de San Ildefonso established by the Jesuits.
COLON STREET
Downtown Area, Cebu City - This is also known as Parian District, the oldest street in the Philippines built by the Spaniards during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Named after Christopher Colombus, it is the heart of downtown Cebu, a glittering city by night lined with moviehouses, restaurants, department stores, and other business establishments.
CAPITOL BUILDING
Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City - The seat of the Provincial government, is of pre-war vintage and has the undulating mountains of Cebu for its background. Majestic and imposing, its high dome can be seen along Osmeña Boulevard. A replica of the United States' White House. One of the many beautiful capitol buildings in the country, constructed in 1937 under the admnistration of Governor Sotero Cabahug.
CASA GORORDO MUSEUM
35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City - Located in Lopez Jaena Street, is the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. A tour inside this residence is a brief journey into a Filipino lifestyle in a particular period between 1860 to 1920. The place presently features noted paintings, museum relics, a courtyard, antique household items and furniture.
Open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Admission fee for adults is PHP 15.00 adn 5.00 for children.
FORT SAN PEDRO NATIONAL MUSEUM
Legaspi Ext., Cebu City - A product of years of research, the collection in view are anthropological and biological. The anthropological section portrays the cultural development and influence into society and its close affinity with the people of South East Asia. The biological section presents samples of the flora and fauna of teh country in general and Cebu in particular.
Admission fee PHP 5.00 per person; open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 nn and 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm; Saturday from 8:00 am to 12 nn only.
Situated around 2,000 feet above sea level up in the cool hills of Busay is Tops. It is a very popular sight-seeing spot offering a stunning view of Metro Cebu, the islands of Mactan and Olango & Bohol. There are kiosks available for daytime picnics and instant evening parties.
