Churches & TemplesFeatured

Basilica del Santo Niño

Cebu City, Cebu

About Basilica del Santo Niño

The Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines, founded in 1565 by Augustinian friars Andrés de Urdaneta and Diego de Herrera. The church was built on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu - a wooden statue of the child Jesus - was found by Spanish soldiers in 1565, forty years after Magellan's expedition gifted it to Queen Juana upon her baptism. The Santo Niño image is believed to be the oldest Christian relic in the Philippines and is revered as miraculous by millions of devotees. The basilica serves as the center of the Sinulog Festival, one of the grandest religious festivals in the Philippines, held every third Sunday of January, attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists. The church complex includes the main basilica with its impressive baroque architecture, a museum displaying religious artifacts, and a pilgrim center. The interior features beautiful ceiling paintings, ornate altars, and the famous Santo Niño image housed in a special chapel. The basilica was granted the status of Minor Basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1965.

Highlights

Oldest church in the Philippines (1565)Home of the Santo Niño imageCenter of Sinulog FestivalMinor Basilica status since 1965Beautiful baroque architectureOn-site museum

Tips for Visitors

1Visit on weekdays to avoid large crowds. Dress modestly - shoulders and knees should be covered. The Santo Niño chapel may have long lines on Fridays. Free admission but donations appreciated. Attend mass for an authentic experience.

How to Get There

Located on Osmeña Boulevard in downtown Cebu City. Take a taxi, Grab, or jeepney to Santo Niño or Colon Street area. The basilica is adjacent to Magellan's Cross.