Cebu Cathedral

Description

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral was established as a diocese on August 14, 1595. It was elevated as a metropolitan archdiocese on April 28, 1934 with the dioceses of Dumaguete, Maasin, Tagbilaran, and Talibon as suffragans.

Construction of the cathedral took many years due to frequent interruptions, brought about by lack of funds. At one time, funds meant for the building of the cathedral were diverted to the moro wars. Another factor was the death of an incumbent bishop who spearheaded the construction/reconstruction and vacancies in the office

The architecture of the church is typical of Spanish colonial churches in the country, namely, squat and with thick walls to withstand typhoons and other natural calamities. The Spanish Royal Coat of Arms is emblazoned in low relief above the main entrance, reflecting perhaps the contribution of the Spanish monarch to its construction.

The image is the same statue given by Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of Rajah Humabon as a gift over forty years after Humabon’s baptism to Christianity on April 14, 1521. It was found by a soldier preserved in a burnt wooden box after Legazpi razed the village of hostile natives.

How to get there

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is a short walk / drive from Colon Street.

Head down Legaspi Street towards the seaside, and you find the Cathedral to your left.