The Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, as the Filipinos call it, is the oldest church in the Philippines and Asia. Its origins date back to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. When Magellan discovered the Philippines on behalf of the Spanish crown in 1521, he arrived in Cebu, where he met King Rajah Humabon, who converted with his subjects, and to whom he presented the Santo Niño, the famous statuette of the Holy Child.
However, Magellan died two weeks later, at the Battle of Mactan, by a poisoned arrow. It was Legazpi’s turn to come to the Philippines in 1565, and despite the fire that ravaged Cebu, one of his soldiers found the statuette in his trunk, unharmed. Regarding this discovery as a sign from God, even a miracle, Legazpi, by royal decree, decided to build the first church in Asia to house the Santo Niño, to whom a veritable cult was dedicated.
The church was first built of hardwood and nypa (a type of palm tree) in 1566. However, it was destroyed by fire in 1566. In 1735, the governor of Cebu ordered its construction in stone, which was completed in 1739. Later, to celebrate 400 years of Christianization of the Philippines in 1965, Pope Paul VI elevated the church to the rank of Minor Basilica.
Today, the Santo Niño is the subject of the country’s biggest festival: the Sinulog, which takes place every year in Cebu in the 3rd week of January. Unfortunately, an earthquake struck on October 15, 2013, causing damage to the Basilica. Almost the entire bell tower collapsed, as did the façade. There is some damage inside the Basilica, such as cracks in the walls and some frescoes. However, the building was put under restoration in 2015 and it will take 6 months for it to be rebuilt.
Upon completion of the renovations, President Benigno Aquino III will hold a ceremony. He said the building is a very popular site in Cebu and means a lot to Filipinos. That’s why it’s the government’s responsibility to take care of it.
As for the basilica’s architecture, it is in the Hispanic and Churrigueresque Baroque style. This is evident in the richly sculpted ornamentation and elaborate detailing. The most impressive aspect of the basilica’s architecture is the façade, with its twin towers of intricate design, twisted columns and elaborate religious sculptures.