Magellan's Cross & Basilica del Santo Niño
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu
A cross planted by Magellan in 1521 and the Philippines' oldest church, founded in 1565, which houses the Santo Niño image at the origin of Filipino Catholicism. Millions of pilgrims come for the Santo Niño festival every year.
Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño stand side by side, the birthplace of Catholicism in Cebu and across the Philippines. In April 1521, Magellan arrived in Cebu, baptized Rajah Humabon, his wife and several hundred islanders, and raised a wooden cross. Today the cross is encased in a hollow teak shell and stands in an octagonal pavilion in front of the city hall. The pavilion's ceiling mural depicts the baptism scene, and women often sell candles and offer to pray on visitors' behalf inside. Next door, the Basilica del Santo Niño was founded in 1565 by Augustinians who arrived with Legazpi, and it is the oldest Catholic church in the Philippines. The current stone building dates from 1737 to 1740. The Santo Niño statue in the chapel is said to be a gift Magellan gave to the queen. In 1565, Spanish soldiers found it unharmed in a burned village, and this was seen as a miracle. It is the most revered religious image in the Philippines, and worshippers queue to touch the glass case and pray. The basilica's pilgrimage center courtyard can hold thousands for Mass, and an attached museum displays the garments and jewelry that generations of devotees have offered to the Santo Niño. Each year on the third Sunday of January, the Sinulog festival draws millions to Cebu. Street parades feature a dance of two steps forward and one step back, honoring the Santo Niño, and it is the largest festival in the Philippines. Admission is free. The basilica is open from 5:00 to 20:00, and the cross pavilion from 8:00 to 18:00. Within walking distance are Fort San Pedro (5 minutes), the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the colonial-era Colon Street. Note: dress modestly inside the church and keep quiet. Do not walk around or take photos during Mass. Keep an eye on your belongings on Fridays and holidays, when crowds are heavy. The bell tower damaged in the 2013 earthquake has been restored.
Opening hours
Church 05:00–20:00; Cross Pavilion 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
- Carbon Market
- Colon Street
- Plaza Independencia
- Fort San Pedro
- Heritage of Cebu Monument
- Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House
- Casa Gorordo Museum